Saturday 3pm Same team same subs?? Want to see the same performance at home as we’ve just seen away. City 3-0
Yep. It worked away at Millwall and at Sheff U but when we're going to have more of the ball I think we need a back four more comfortable playing out, and the Drameh-Burns-Jones-Macca back four really didn't look it against QPR. Jacob for Burns balances it out a bit and allows Jones to play as right centre back where I think he's miles better on the ball.
Agreed, Jones looks much less assured on the left, especially on the ball and I think burns, although he’s done okay, looks a little niave.
An early goal, similar to Friday would make teams have to come out of defensive shape more, which would then suit us better. We struggle when there is a low block, and can get caught on the counter.
It has all the makings of another City disaster like we've seen so often before, crap opposition, high expectations, bit of a break since last game and that ****ty pitch... But, hopefully the new lads won't be cursed with the home form thing, the pitch might be a bit better, the whole squad'll still be on a high after Friday and the crowd'll be onside. UTT, 2-0.
Stoke have managed to score 11 goals in their last 15 games ... 8 of those being draws... Looked at the weather, pretty dry the rest of the week after tonight...
I am more concerned about the condition of the playing surface to be honest. If the football churns it up much more then the start of the rugby league will be an embarrassment. Anyway City 2, Potters 0.
We rarely put two decent performances together. Totally different game too Friday. If we look assured and win, there’s no trouble. But this is Hull City…..
True Usually rugby doesnt really affect the pitch But another 20 odd players running on it evrry other week wont be good
Jones has never been adept at playing out from the back. He does okay but his strength is definitely defending. However, he looks even more uncomfortable playing out as a left-sided centre-back. Hughes is comfortable playing either side as he’s quite two-footed. It seems like an insignificant detail but you can tell by a centre-back’s body positioning whether they’re comfortable playing on a certain side. I also remember a manager, possibly Maresca, talking about how important it was to have a right-footer and left-footer in a centre-back pairing when playing out from the back, or at least a right-footer who is comfortable playing on the left side (like Hughes). Burns has been solid but I think Jones and Macca have to be the two against Stoke.
It'll be a hard game, Stoke won't be coming to play - they'll defend in numbers and hope to catch us on the break or from a set-piece. If we win we're gonna win the league and, you just need to read a few Match Threads so see how it'll go should we lose ...
Just purchased my ticket for this game, going on my own so if you see a grumpy middle aged bloke on his own come and say hello. Although that could be thousands of people at the MKM Don't get to many games and really looking forward to this but I have to offer an apology that I can't remember the last time I saw us win in person. Not been while Selles is in charge didn't see us win under Walter or Rosenior
It’ll be interesting to see how Hughes develops. You can interpret his first 6 months at the club in various ways: Not ready for this level when he arrived. (Didn’t merit a start before his appendix op). Injury prone (he’s been unavailable for selection more than he’s been available). Got a mistake in him (he’s made several costly mistakes). A loser (I think he’s only played in one winning game for us out of around 15 games). Cultured and influential (he picked up a fair few MOTM nominations in his few games). I’m not convinced. Hopefully he’ll establish himself but I feel he’s far from that at the moment.
He’s the best ball-playing centre-half at the club, in my opinion. A lot of his flaws are the same ones Greaves had for a while. Greaves was often too rash and used to step up out of position. He became more disciplined in his positioning and decision-making the more games he played. Hughes has a lot of potential and quality. I’m confident he’ll develop as a great centre-half.
