I was really hoping for some attacking creativity here, but looking at that team, I'm struggling to see how that midfield is merited for anything other than trying to nick a point. I've made my opinion on Meyler very clear, if he proves me wrong, fair enough but I really can't see him doing it. Quinn is a decent, if not spectacular inclusion, hopefully he can pick Jelavic out, who I fancy to score against his old club. Interesting to see he's dropped Davies, Dawson or Rosenior to take the armband in his absence?
Got Jela first goalscorer for £1.73, anytime for £2 (free bet) and I reckon Daws should and will get it. Even if he is just a **** Andy Dawson.
I think we now know who the 'Big Time Charlies' are, in Brucie's mind... Brave team who will have a go. Re Beverley, I like Green Dragon best. Argued with some scum in The Push before, and been very boisterous inside the Beaver.
From the BBC website, hard to disagree really. Where's it all gone wrong for Hull? In the early hours of post-Transfer Deadline Day reflection, the consensus was that Steve Bruce had dome some cracking business. Yes, they'd lost Shane Long, but adding Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez and Abel Hernandez to go with Robert Snodgrass, Andrew Robertson and Mohamed Diame looked like a fine summer's work for the FA Cup finalists. But it's been a steady slide down the table for Bruce's boys. Defeat at Manchester United at the weekend coupled with results last night means that the Tigers are in the relegation zone for the first time all season. In fact, Hull have won only six Premier League games in 2014 so far. Annus horribilis.
If we've won 6 premier league games in 2014 (very poor), it means whoever came up with that stat that we'd only got 22 points since January 1st was making up bollockshit.
Different. I think SB is going with attitude over talent. He must be feeling quite stupid about Tom Ince. Surely he would have been in the squad over Alex?
I'm guessing Meyler will sit on the right of midfield and Quinn on the left, as 'shields' to help Elmo and Rosey with Coleman and Baines. SB will presumably want to force Everton to attack down the middle.
I can't remember the last time Elmo assisted with one of his crosses which IMO have been extremely poor since the promotion season. Quinn at Premier league level is only really good for keeping the ball in possession, he hasn't managed to do anything more than that. Diame makes things happen for himself, creates the space for him to shoot and gets into good positions but isn't really the one providing for others. Rosie is limited in his attacking play, particularly when on his less favoured side, I doubt he will get forward much at all. Meyler is a good finisher but the way it looks like we will be set up I don't think he'll be allowed to go that far forward. I'm really not looking forward to watching this, hoping I'll be proved wrong but the best result I can see coming from this is 0-0. That kind of expectation going into a game isn't what I thought would be happening at the start of this season.
I think the tactic here is to tire out Everton's midfield, who lack their work horse McCarthy. Then, when they're too knackered, we bring on Robertson, Brady and Aluko. But the cynic in me says the damage will already be done. Their front two are dangerous and it's going to take a monumental defensive effort to keep them out.
That line-up Rosenior - Right-back Dawson and Chester - Centre-backs Elmo - Right-winger Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler and Diame - Defensive midfielders Quinn - Footballing Everyman Jelavic - Striker What ****ing formation can you get out of that, if all of the starting players are played in their proper positions? A 2-7-1 where none of them venture into the opposition half, maybe?
Bruce losing the plot? Bruce out? This line up and recent performances suggest he's lost the dressing room.
Optimistic view at tonight... Bruce waves white flag and saves the regulars to be fresh at the weekend?
