Pearson's doesn't sound optimistic: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9450665.stm Hopefully, we're still trying to bring him back for next season(along with Eilhoff).
Just seen this myself on the bbc website. Gutted! And Guzan's loan is set to run out soon isn't it? So who does that leave us with for number 2, Cracknell? Will we be able to make an emergency loan?
looks like we got to put up with Duke for the rest of the season, its a shame about Mannone, maybe we can sign him during the summer as he's been a good player for us. We really need to strengthen the Goalkeeping area
It's not irrelevent! Play offs were a long shot anyway, and we never even expected to be in the run in. We should still try and end on a high and finish as high up the table as we can. I'd be disappointed if the players had that attitude in these last few games and gave more performances like saturday.
I disagree Yes we won't make the play-offs but we can still end this season on a high. The higher we finish the better, finishing 8th sounds a lot better than finishing 12th. Finish on a positive and carry it into next season.
Spot on - anything in the top half and we should be delighted given the situation in October/November. Finish close to the play-offs and we will be highly regarded as a promotion team for next season, which is positive in my view. Gutted about Mannone. Has been one of the signings of the season, sad he'll miss what looks to be the remainder of the campaign. Dukey in net until May then, unless Guzan's loan is extended
They've had it all season so I doubt it'll make a difference. As for Mannone, let's be honest, we've probably seen the last of him in a City shirt. He's been a good keeper and obviously we need to sign somebody of his ability, I just can't see him signing for us permanently.
I disagree with the disagreement. We won't make the playoffs so it's about sorting out the squad for next season now. I don't want to see any key players going for every last point and one of them ending up with a Ben Burgess style injury. Equally we have a lot of young players, loan players, and players with expiring contracts that we should be giving game time to. Goalkeeper is irrelevent as all of their contracts are up in the summer, we look like going for Eilhoff and I'd be surprised if we didn't have Mannone on loan for next season. Defence we need to sort Gerrard out now. Either we get him signed or we drop him. I know he's waiting to see if he gets a bumper contract with Cardiff but that's his concern not ours. We've got Cooper who could be given game time alongside Chester to see what he can do. We're also due to get McShane back from Barnsley after the Doncaster game which gives us the opportunity to try Rosenior at left back til the end of the season, giving us more scoppe to look for Dawson's replacement in the side in the summer. Midfield Evans can be dropped for Akpan. We've seen enough of Evans to know one way or another and they're looking at a similar role. Cairney should be given some more game time to show Pearson what he can do and try to force his way back in. Belaid also has his contract up in the summer, lets give him some real game time before making a decision about the 2 years. Garcia is our best right winger, he should be played wide right unless it's already been decided that he's not getting a new contract due to his wages. Up front Simpson should be given some time with Fryatt to see how they link up, Cullen should be given some 30 minute appearances from the bench. McLean is just not up to it. He's no first touch and doesn't even look like scoring, whenever he goes through 1-on-1 my expectation is that the opposition keeper has the ability to prevent a goal rather than thinking he'll score.
I agree with that, Ricardo. Treat it as an extended pre-season, allowing those players that will be here next season more time to gel. What I meant by the original comment was that a goalkeeping blunder or two by Duke between now and the end of the season isn't going to cost us. I admit defeat in the battle and think we should start planning our counterstrike to win the war. I think Pearson, Shakespeare and Walsh have been doing that for several months (although AP has effectively given them a deadline by allowing them the Summer and January transfer windows to get it right. If we're not there or thereabouts next February it'll be interesting to see what happens).
Agreed Play off push or no play off push, there's still plenty to play for. Be good to spend the Summer months knowing we have something to look forward to for the following season, not had that since 2008
I wouldn't rule out a move for Mannone, balls in Arsene Winger's court on this one. If they sign a new keeper and have Scezney and Almunia, Vito is down the pecking order and we may have a chance, but you'd be naive to think we'd be without competition for his signing. And as for the attitude comment, bollocks, indeed Saturday supports your case but that was one of very few occasions this season. I'd say that'd be more a criticism of last seasons team, especially a certain 'cheeky chappy', not that i'm pointing fingers or anything
Does Mannone have much of a track record for injuries? It just seems a bit Folan-esque to be out for pretty much half a season with 2 thigh injuries.
His loan at Barnsley was also cut short due to injury, but he really hasn't played enough for injuries to be all that evident.
On Blunderside yesterday NP said he would be meeting up with Mammone today at the hotel, presume near north London, to map out Mammone's future or not with City.
That's potentially good news then. Like the way Pearson and his team seem to go the extra distance to secure players. Worth trying for a permanent move (if you don't ask, you don't get) but i think we'll end up with a season long loan, which isn't a bad thing.
