I really enjoyed tonight's game. Great to see our new signings. Overall the result was fair I felt. Could have gone either way really. I felt their goals could have been avoided and we were unlucky not to hold on to 2-1 lead. Hernandez looked fantastic. God almighty he's what we've been needing for a long while. Pace to burn and the guy can actually turn and pull off a quick shot. I've always used "the hull city way" to describe a sideways passing, scared to shoot, patrol around the box kind of football. We now have some people creating chances for themselves and being a little greedy. Diame, what an absolute monster. Loved his goal (looked almost identical to olofinjana's goal vs his old club stoke). He wasn't perfect but he's got way more energy than huddlestone and tracks back. Our very own Yaya Toure. Ben Arfa. Now this is the interesting bit, he's very greedy. But in his case it is justified as he showed he's capable of getting passed 2/3 players. I even thought the fouls that went against him should have gone our way. It won't be easy managing him because we've never had a player like him but I'm tempted to suggest we let him express himself. I want him to be greedy if that gets the best out of him. Ramirez, didn't create a ton but looked nifty. RObertson looked fantastic. He'll be worth £10million in 12 months. Thuddermore looked ok, a little less presence, probably because of the new signings. Jelavic, tries and tries but he's a little inconsistent in his accuracy. Mcgregor made an amazing save in the first half and even for their second goal, if Davies hadn't been there he would have tipped it round the corner. SPeaking of Davies, he's been a little under par since Dawson joined. Not sure why. A bit unlucky on their second. Elmo, was Ok. A little disappointing for me were Quinn, he just seemed out of his depth. Not sure why he looks brilliant when he comes on after 65 minutes but looked terrible as a Cam. Dawson, very disappointed in him. Looks slow as f** and should have closed the guy for the first goal and I think was also in the way for the second. Very lucky to have their 3rd tipped over the bar. He's a new signing so he'll keep playing but I feel we've been a little worse at the back since he arrived. Brady. Where to begin. This will be controversial but I really am not a fan of brady. He didn't do a ton wrong but he just isn't good enough. Which isn't a huge problem, the problem is he thinks he's the Irish Ben arfa. God knows why he takes corners when he always kicks them short. He had a speculative shot that was harmless, when there were probably better options. And he tries to get past people too often. I just feel like he's trying too hard to shine when he should play more for the team. Last but not least, the formation. I think we were weaker because of our change to a back four. But at the same we were more exciting up front. Difficult decision for Brucey to make. But I'm confident he'll figure it out. Overall, I feel very positive. Good point considering the new players having to gel etc. Should have been better to be honest as we took the lead twice but as long as we don't lose it's always positive in the Prem. Really can't wait to see more of Hernandez and HBA up front. They've really changed our style up front.
Agreed. You're being very kind to him there. A bit unlucky is an understatement - the fault lies with McGregor. Eh? Now I know we were watching a different game. Yes, he's a little slow, but he did so many good things tonight. Anyone blaming him for the first goal is really looking too hard for scapegoats - sometimes talented players just pull out something really special, and that was one of those occasions.
Well we all see things differently. Of course Valencia produced a worldy but Dawson tracked him the whole width of the pitch and should have moved in at some point not stand off him. I thought Mcgregor did quite well and wasn't to blame on any goal. So not sure what you think he's done wrong.
I thought Robinson was good going forward, but often lost his man which gave them a few attacking opportunities. "I felt their goals could have been avoided and we were unlucky not to hold on to 2-1 lead." This is bollocks, their first goal was a scorcher.
It's quite simple - for the equaliser he either has to stay back and let Davies deal with it or dive and save it properly. He did neither.
Watch the replay again, it was only a scorcher because dawson let him pull the trigger. He had about 10 seconds to put a foot in there, even risk being beat. Personally I see that as a defensive mistake.
Once two people write "Robinson" in the same thread, it's a sign that I need to step out of it. Can't take it any more.
I think Dawson did well. He closed down the space and kept him at bay against a striker who is much quicker than him. You can't take anything away from the goal. Caught the highlights when I got home and it's a great goal. Neville and Carragher mentioned it in the bracket of goal of the season already.
Dawson was fine tonight, much much better than his debut. Quinn was pushed off the ball a bit too easily so I'm with you there, struggles in the more physical games.
What annoyed me about the second goal is as soon as Downing picked up the ball I shouted 'show him down the line he doesn't have a right foot' and what did we do? He was marked square on he stepped inside put the ball in and they score. It's not rocket science they should know simple things like this it makes the game so much easier.
I thought Dawson had a good game, Robertson was good for most of it, but game the ball away far more than he normally does, overall it was a very good performance that would normally have got us a win.
In reflection Dawson didn't do as bad as I thought but he's not perfect. Him Curties and Chester are all kind of on par and their performances alternate it seems. WOuld be nice to have them all clicking during the same game. But overall it was really positive I thought. We're going to see quite a different city from now on.We're capable of scoring anywhere with these lads I feel, which means we can always grab a point or more.
Thought that, although you gifted West Ham two goals, they were very unlucky to come away with only a point. Similar game to ours in the first half, West Ham were all over you but you were the side in front.
First goal was hardly gifted to them. Possibly you could argue that Daws should have got tighter, but that is still a hell of a strike. Despite them shading the first half we were only a whisker away from being 2 up when Hernandez shot came back from under the crossbar. Overall last night was a great game and a fair result.
