James Chestney previews what will likely be a new ground (and club) tick for many City fans... Accrington Stanley – who are they? It’s the oldest joke in the book but it still makes you chuckle. Hull City will find out exactly who ‘Accy’ are when the two sides meet at the Crown Ground on Tuesday night in the First Round of this season’s Capital Cup. You have to go back to the 1958-59 season in Division Three for the last time these two sides met, with the Tigers winning 1-0. City’s record at Accrington is a good one having won eight and drawn three of the twelve games played over the years. The two sides go in to this game after a differing opening day of the new season with Accrington being held to a 1-1 draw by Luton Town. Meanwhile the Tigers hit the ground running after going through pre-season unbeaten and then beating Huddersfield Town 2-0 at the KC Stadium. This trip into Lancashire sees the Tigers filled with confidence, especially with debutants Sam Clucas and Chuba Akpom both finding the net against the Terriers. There were also solid debuts for Ryan Taylor and Isaac Hayden plus a return to the side for Curtis Davies. Greg Luer, who came on for Akpom, and Calaum Jahraldo-Martin have both showed up well in pre-season so Bruce decided to give them their chance. With it being a cup game the manager may also ring the changes with new signing from Brentford, Moses Odubajo, set for his competitive debut. It is still too far away for the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Mo Diame but with these players waiting in the wings competition for places will certainly be healthy. Last season’s early league games were distracted by the Europa League but City are maybe better equipped on the domestic scene this season. Accrington Stanley are named ‘the club who wouldn’t die’ and all credit to them for looking like their struggle for survival is on the up. They do, like the Tigers, have some real celebrity supporters, none more so then legendary Test Cricket commentator David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd. Manager John Coleman will know the enormity of the task his side face whatever side Steve Bruce fields on Tuesday night. He said his side had enough possession and chances to win the game against Luton failing to take them ultimately cost his side victory. He knew the game should have been won and admitted he was ‘blazing’; he hadn’t felt like that in a long time and made sure the players knew it. Having taken the lead through a Windass penalty on 61 minutes – yes, Josh Windass, son of our very own Dean – they conceded an injury time ‘lucky’ equaliser off a rebound. http://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/match-preview-accrington-stanley-v-hull-city/
Never easy to predict the line-up for cup games, maybe something like this? --------------Jakupovic Lenihan Maguire Davies Odubajo Elmo Meyler Hayden Clucas -------------CJM Luer
I see Diame tweeted to say he is back training today. Was nice to see him outside the KC yesterday signed autographs for the youngsters.
Jakupovic Lenihan Maguire Bruce Townsend Odubajo Meyler Dixon Aluko Luer CJM If we can't play the loanees the bench might look a little light if Bruce opts to rest some first teamers, if not then Maybe: Mcgregor, Huddlestone, Clucas, Hernandez, Robertson, Jelavic, Davies.
I think that'll be the plan - starting XI will be much weaker then Saturday but with some heavy guns on the bench.
Forget Conor Townsend, he's just been named in the starting XI for the U21's game at Palace this afternoon.
Doesn't leave us with much choice on the left. Jakupovic Odubajo Maguire Davies Clucas Aluko Meyler Dixon CJM Hernandez Luer
I forgot about Dixon, good shout. I can't see him sticking Hernandez in a cup game at Accrington, he's got enough of a job motivating him as it is.
I assume this counts as one of Hernandez’s suspended games. Also, I would expect, given that they’re on season-long loans, that the Arsenal pair will be cleared to play in the cups. I’d like to win tomorrow but not actually progress in the competition.
You're right, Hernandez will.be suspended. Somehow I concluded he wouldn't but that makes no sense. So Aluko up front, Odubajo RW, Lenihan in at RB.
Hernandez is still suspended. Can't see Clucas playing LB. The lad's just scored on his debut and you want to play him at Left back
Ah so he is. Bang Jelavic on there instead. Yeah that's why I didn't put Abel in. I don't know if Townsend wouldn't be able to play 2 games in two days, he might not play 90 minutes. I'd have thrown Clark in but I'm guessing he's playing today too.
Thought he was LB/LW. It's got to be him or Robertson hasn't it? I went with him just because Bruce always seems to want to rest Robertson.
He's more of an attacking midfielder and can also play up front. I'd play Robbo tomorrow night anyway - we don't play again until Sunday.
Jakupovic Lenihan Maguire Davies Robertson Moses Hayden Meyler Clucas Aluko Akpom McGregor Dawson Elmo Dixon CJM Luer Huddlestone Try and get some momentum going and some partnerships built, especially down that left side that looked a bit shaky at the weekend, the more they play together the better they'll get together
