That struck me also, with possibly Zambrano if his ban gets sorted, Alzate and now Matazo, maybe they are playing safe, not triggering the option until they know the outcome of Zambrano.
It is becoming a real head scratcher, this is 3 consecutive managers who have struggled to win at home. There has been a turnover of players, so they are not the same set of players who have under performed. It has to be lack of confidence for some reason, as away we are pretty decent, it really is a conundrum. On the game, we shouldn't have lost. First half we were very good and should have at least been 2 up, second half more even, but we just give away sloppy goals, which undoes all the good play that has gone on before it. I thought Jacob had a reasonable first 30 minutes, but after that both him and Drameh, apart from the block on the line, looked poor. Matazo had a good debut and will only get better, Alzate was very tidy, I thought Slater was a bit anonymous, works hard, but didn't have much influence on the game, I feel his start in the team is numbered once Crooks gets up to speed. Pedro was good again, very clever player, Kamara had a pretty good game, but Gelhardh was not at his best. Amrabat had a very decent cameo, he looked threatening when he came on. On the day, the subs didn't have much impact, in fact we looked more disjointed after they came on. However, I guess Selles wanted to at least get Barry and Joseph onto the pitch, to at least start to feel involved. Selles has to find a solution to the home form, as we can't keep relying on winning away, as that is unlikely to continue until the end of the season.
Why does Slater almost always stay on the pitch when you only see him do anything every quarter of an hour , in between hes missing , he just doesn’t see opposition moves that leave him chasing ?
Because of our three mids he's the one actually putting a shift in for the full 90, continuing to push and run. Alzate I thought drifted in and out of the game and Matazo had a noticeable drop off.
My assessment: We tried to ‘out-football’ Stoke, and we did, for a bit. But football often needs fight too and we were outfought, unlike at Sheff Utd. This got them back in the game and gave them confidence. We will learn from it. I was gutted to see Crooks not in the first XI, but that has now been explained as an injury. He will play a big part in our wins I reckon and we will probably see a pattern, like we did with Ashbee. Also, Selles is still working out his best team and assessing players (particularly new signings). I reckon we’ll be a lot better by the time we play those six-pointer’s at home. Oh and there is no curse. The atmosphere has been flat since the name change stuff caused the divide and unrest. I’m sure in time, and with a bit of success under Acun, it will be a lot better. UTT.
He’s only played in two games so far, so it’s way too early to judge him. I don’t think we should expect him to be a prolific goal scorer though. His scoring record has been roughly 1 goal every 6 games. He played 10 times in the Championship for Swansea but never scored. He’s a bit of an unknown at this level. His game looks to be more about stretching defences, opening up space for other attacking players and tiring out the opposition. I think this was evident when he started against Sheffield United when Pedro was brought on after they were run ragged. I’m surprised we didn’t use him the same way against Stoke.
Amongst all the Slater arguing I think we’ve missed one of the key things. Usually, Alzate picks the ball up from the keeper/back four. He has a knack of being able to turn either way and progress the football. Yesterday Slater picked it up a few times in the same position, facing his own goal. Pretty much every time, his first touch invited pressure and he ended up battling to hold the ball before laying it back to the defence to play out. Maybe it’s a tactic to draw the pressure and exploit space behind? Either way, it’s a risky play.
Slater is the one that keeps his intensity but Alzate had almost double the amount of touches Slater did.
Several longish posts this morning, probably from people like me waking up and reflecting on yesterday. Forgive me for one more, to get it off my chest and try to move on! Things to consider off and on the pitch. A mate persuaded me to make the nine hour return trip yesterday, slightly against my better judgement as I expected us to lose I'm afraid - come to expect it at home this season, and not enjoying home games. Feel much more anxious and I suspect that's shared by many and communicates itself to the team. Surely, surely we have to try something different , like attacking North Stand second half when we get the chance so away team not playing towards their fans. From the moment early in second half when their winger skinned Jacob in the North East corner, their fans seemed to get up for it. The other thing which continues to hack me off is people streaming out at the bottom of the East stand before the end. If they can't be bothered to stay until the end, couldn't we at least force them to walk up the steps and out of the back of the ground, rather than parading along the touchline. Must be very demoralising for the players. On the pitch, I actually thought we played some good stuff but I'm still not convinced we have signed the proven Championship striker we need to stay in the division, and as under Liam, we seem to lack anyone likely to score with a header, and pose such limited threat from set pieces. So we're still too reliant on well crafted goals not 'scrappy' ones. At the back, I'm afraid I don't think any of Coyle, Drameh or Jacob are consistent enough to be first choices this season, and I like Pandur but think he needs competition. So I rather ruefully think that after all our apparently good business this window, we are still short in several areas, and probably over stuffed in others. Finally, amongst all the mad talk of a play off push last week (mainly on Twitter tbf), I have never changed from thinking I'd be very very happy with 21st this season. And this morning , looking at the next 3 games, that still feels a tall order.
Yesterday was straight out of the Hull City at Home playbook... Start well, compete, win key areas and (not always the case) get an early goal. Start to look vulnerable about the half hour mark as the Oppos begin to realise we don't like the physical stuff and we start to lose individual battles. Concede a goal that was coming but was also entirely avoidable. Start the second half tentatively and never really look at the races after that. Make substitutions that don't materially affect the way we're playing. Concede a second goal that was coming but was also entirely avoidable. Watch the clock run down as we completely fizzle out and end, once again, in total frustration. Rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat.
Just before Matazo got hooked, I watched him absolutely blaze across the pitch. It felt like a ridiculous substitution to me.
I had hoped Jacob could kick on yesterday but we definitely need a left back. He can do a job off the bench but he was bypassed so easily yesterday nearly every time. As an impact sub when you’re seeing out a game he’s fine but he just isn’t consistent enough for where we are
It's getting increasingly hard to justify the effort and money travelling over at the moment and I'm seriously considering sacking off home games for the rest of the season. Will be different when I'm a 20 minute walk away (hopefully if it all goes through) but at the moment I really can't be bothered with any more of it, then getting in at 8 thoroughly disgruntled.
As someone said earlier, he’s a good squad player to have on the bench to bring on, as he can cover multiple positions if necessary and it also probably benefits him and the team for him to come on with fresh legs rather than playing the full game. We do now have an abundance of players who can play the role that he does and he probably shouldn’t be starting with any regularity now.
Yeah I’ve missed two, a win and the draw vs TWS. You’ll be pleased to know I’ll be missing vs Sheffield Wed, and if we do win that(and lose others), I’ll have to consider taking one for the team and stop going for this season
Echo that feeling. Been doing the trip from London for 20 years, several times a season. Normally combine it with something else so I'm not reliant on Hull City for my Saturday well being. Not sure I can face another home game this season!
