Search:

Sky Sports.com

Opinion Links: Opinion Home Page | Latest Expert Columns | Latest Blog Entries

One Hull of a season

Are the Tigers on the brink of the Premier League?

Posted: 16th April 2008 12:36

Subscribe to RSS Feed Send an email to Chris Kamara Email Chris Kamara

Windass: big star for Hull

The thing I like about Dean Windass is that he's never lost his quality. He might not be the brightest footballer in the world off the pitch, but he's one of the cleverest I know on it!

Chris Kamara
Quotes of the week

FOOTBALL LEAGUE LIVE
Stoke City v Bristol City
Saturday, 5.15pm, Sky Sports 1

Related links

Teams

Also see

Some people say winning the Manager of the Month award is a poisoned chalice, but Phil Brown has proved that theory wrong.

He won the Championship award with Hull last month, but they've kicked on again in April and now they're up to second place after their win against Barnsley. I watched that game and thought they were superb and you'd have to say they're in a very good position to get automatic promotion.

They don't fear anybody at the moment and they're looking fresh going into the last few games. They weren't in the reckoning a couple of months ago, but the momentum is with them now.

I'm looking forward to chatting to Dean Windass on Goals on Sunday this week because he's been excellent for Hull all season.

The thing I like about him is that he's never lost his quality. He might not be the brightest footballer in the world off the pitch, but he's one of the cleverest I know on the field and he uses that to make up for his lack of pace.

He might be 39 years old, but he keeps himself in fantastic shape. Opposition fans sometimes say that he's fat because he's got a bit of a podgy face, but in fact there's not an ounce of fat on him. He works really hard on his body and his performances this season have been fantastic.

Windass has also been the perfect foil for Frazier Campbell, who has probably learned a lot from playing alongside him. Campbell runs over the top to give them one dimension and Windass comes short and plays people in to give them another. And they've both kept their goal tally ticking over.

Added to that, Caleb Folan has come good at the right time. He didn't have the best of starts when he arrived for more than �1million from Wigan, but he's now starting to justify his price tag.

Work

Everything that Phil Brown has done is going right at the moment and you can't see anything stopping them. I know Phil well and this is something he's worked at for a long time.

He was Big Sam's number two at Bolton for many years and then he took the top job at Derby, where things didn't work out for him. But he's a better manager for those experiences and he could now be going up when his former teams are coming down.

I've heard that Hull is the biggest city in Europe never to have had a team in the top flight of their domestic league, so it would be something special for the people of Hull if they could finish the job.

But they have got three very tough fixtures before the end of the season against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and Ipswich. Those teams are all fighting for something, but Hull know if they win those games they are going up.

Having said that, it's very competitive at the moment. Stoke, Hull and West Brom all picked up big wins this week so not one manager can count their chickens.

Unfold

The one thing I would say is that West Brom are in the best position. I backed Watford to win the league at the start of the season, but it was a toss-up between them and West Brom and I wish I'd gone the other way now.

I don't think Watford will finish top now, which is frustrating for my bet, but they're very much in with a shout for the automatic places.

But there's still no guarantees. Stoke have started to believe again after coming from behind against Coventry last weekend and people have been saying all season that Bristol City would fall away, but they haven't.

Bristol City and Stoke clash in our live game on Sky Sports this weekend and that's a huge one. A draw would see both of them live to fight another day, but a defeat would be a big psychological blow - although it wouldn't rule either of them out.

I know there'll be some more twists and turns this weekend. Anybody can beat anybody in that division, so it's all about who performs on the day.

To get this close to the end of the season and to see the table so tight at the top is amazing. Let's just sit back and enjoy as we watch the rest of this fantastic season unfold.

Do you have a question for Kammy? Let us know what you think by using the feedback form below and continue to email him here

Kammy answers your questions...

Hi Chris. What are your views on the increasing number of teams in the Championship playing long ball or a direct style of football. Is it because of boardroom pressure to play the Chelsea way to get promoted, or is it a bad style creeping into the English game? I am a Preston NE supporter and I never see any game tactically devoted to long-ball rubbish. The best team I have seen all season without a doubt is West Brom, who play some cracking stuff. What are your views and how can we stop this style of play that just sucks the life of the 'beautiful game'? Thanks, Rob.

KAMMY REPLIES: You need to name names Rob because I don't believe that is the case. I've heard this accusation levelled against Stoke, but in my eyes they play good football. They have fine footballers like Liam Lawrence, Ricardo Fuller and Glenn Whelan, who like to pass the ball and play it around. Watford play a direct style of football and they haven't mixed it up enough, but that has cost them at times because other teams have sussed them out.

But I'm not of the opinion that the Championship is full of teams that play the long-ball game. I watch a lot of matches and I haven't seen much evidence of long-ball football. You'll have to come back to me with some stats to back up your argument!

Hi Chris, great read. I know you mentioned the Baggies for the title and yes I agree they have one of best squad with regards their strength in depth but how do you see Wolves fitting in the mix? I certainly hope that us and the Baggies go up to show the Premier League what they've been missing out on and hopefully see a bigger contingent of Midlands clubs in the Premier League! Thanks Chris, Wolverhampton.

KAMMY REPLIES: Big Mick will have been expecting Wolves to beat their local rivals West Brom in midweek, but it ended up being a massive defeat for them. He was putting on a brave face after the game because he knows he's got to get them into that top six. They still have a chance, but I can't see anybody breaking into the top five, so Wolves are one of seven teams scrapping it out for the one remaining play-off spot. They've got to play Ipswich, Cardiff, Coventry and Plymouth before the end of the season and all of those teams have something to play for so it will be hard. Mick's done it before, which will stand them in good stead, and he'll know they have to win the game in hand against Cardiff to put them in the best possible position.

Chris. I am Watford fan, and I have always admired Nathan Ellington from non league to Championship golden boot winner 2004-2005. So why is it that he's not doing the business for us? Jane Shelton.

KAMMY REPLIES: I mentioned in last week's column that Nathan is a very different player to Marlon King, who was more suited to Watford's direct style. Nathan prefers to receive the ball with his back to goal, drop his shoulder and put defenders under pressure. Aidy Boothroyd gave him a chance when King left the club, but it hasn't been as fruitful as they'd hoped. They've got to stick by him because they haven't brought anyone else in to play in that position, which I think was a mistake. But it still might be too early to cast aspersions against him - he might end up being the man who scores the winner in the play-off final!

Do you have a question for Kammy? Let us know what you think by using the feedback form below and continue to email him here

Send to friend
Print
- Facebook
- del.icio.us
- ma.gnolia
- Yahoo! My Web
- Digg
- Google Bookmarks
- Reddit
- Technorati
- Newsvine
- StumbleUpon
Add comment

Comments

Cdstoke Big c (Stoke City fan) says...

Hull City = No Chance ! Stoke City are massive and we will be promoted this season no question ! We are going to be as bigger then we were 25 years ago. We have fine players like Lawerence, Fuller and Cresswell and lots of potential in Shawcross, Cort and Dicko. We have a great manager and the fan base is huge and is the most loyal and proud in the country ! With the backing of the chairman ( 1 of Top 30 richest men in Britain) and a 50 million pay packet for promotion we will be able to add that extra quality and take the premier league by storm next season. Stoke City are back and bigger and stronger than ever so be warned, the boys are back !

Posted 00:52 21st April 2008

Mark Johnson (Sheffield United fan) says...

Been to the game today Hull will be crucified if they do get into the Premiership playing like that today, No fight, No ideas really. Up the Blades!!!!!!

Posted 21:19 19th April 2008

Martin Angell (Hull City fan) says...

Hi Chris. Thanks for the great piece on Hull. I haven't stopped smiling for weeks. Feel so proud of my team and what they've done this season. I remember watching us play Scarborough when we were fighting for survival at the bottom of the football league in front of a full house and the awful day we were locked out of Boothferry. Our supporters have been fantastic home and away for years and together with the efforts of Adam Pearson and Paul Duffen and the god that is Phil Brown, we have climbed to the amazing heights we have reached this week. It's now in our hands and one final push will see The Tigers roar into the top flight for the first time, and we will stay there! Our financial situation and the strategy of the club is one of the most sound in the whole of English football. The belief we have at the club is phenomenal. I think (and hope) the top two will remain the same. Your thoughts Kammy?

Posted 22:09 18th April 2008

Johny Cheeseman (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I so hope Hull go up. They looked superb on Tuesday night. I really feel that they could do well next season if they can add a few players. Dean Windass is a true legend...... The guy should of played for England!

Posted 14:37 18th April 2008

Karl Orsborn says...

Hi Chris, I just wanted to agree with you with regards to Rob's comment about Championship football consisting too much of the long-ball, route-one tactic - I really don't think this is the case. Being a West Brom I have to admit that I've never seen us play such attractive football in the 20 years I've been following them. And after having been to numerous matches at The Hawthorns this season I think that there are other teams that also demonstrate similar qualities - at least going forward. One thing that does concern me though is the apparent inability alot of Championship teams have when it comes to defending. West Brom have demonstrated this time and time again and if it wasn't for some drastic defending from set-pieces I feel we'd probably be home and dry by now. How do you think teams such as Albion will manage against the Rooney's, Ronaldo's and Drogba's of the Premiership, and what do they need to do to improve their chances of survival?? Thanks, Karl

Posted 09:27 17th April 2008

Nt Nt says...

Unfourtunately, even if Hull do get promoted, it is very unlikely they will stay up for too long. Teams like Hull dont have the depth and skill to play in the premiership. It is sad becuase they have done so well this year, but when you have to play Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton Portsmouth And Tottenham (which realistically they will lose to both times) that is already 12 losses /38 games. Thats not including Newcastle, West Ham, Middlebourgh and Man City, where even if they get draws both times is only 8 points, which is still unlikely. And even if they flook one season, with 2, they will be down, becuase they will not be able to keep up the standard. Its sad, but its true!!!

Posted 21:29 16th April 2008

Andrew Jennings (tigers fan) says...

Hi Chris I was very proud of Hull City's performance on Tuesdays as I sat and watched the match in my local pub in Dublin..a pub owned by the same guy who owns shares in Sunderland! Like Sunderland I believe Hull City's success over the last few years has come about from major financial investment in the team, not to mention the new and wonderful KC Stadium!. I wonder do you think as I do that there is a direct correlation between the higher 'net worth' of a team and the higher positioning of that team in the league. Any thoughts?

Posted 20:08 16th April 2008

Stephen Wood says...

In reply to Paul Spratt, although I can understand his point about teams like Hull and Bristol City, I feel that such comments takes attention away from just how well both clubs have performed this season. Although I know little about Bristol City's finances or infrastructure, I do know that Adam Pearson (ex-Hull City chairman, now Derby County chairman) set the foundations for a big club during his tenure. From the build of the impressive KC stadium to Hull's rise from the foot of the old third division to Championship challengers, their revival has been spectacular and wonderful to see as a local. Talk is already brewing over the expansion of the stadium to 35000 (approx), which is hardly evidence of being a small club. True, they may not be one of the "fanciable" teams in the Championship but, West Brom and Watford apart, the Tigers have proven to everyone this season (regardless of whether they earn promotion) that they are a club on the up and are a team with vast potential. I sincerely hope that their form in the remaining 3 matches continues. With Phil Brown in charge and experienced committed players performing, I cannot see why not.

Posted 17:14 16th April 2008

David Hodges says...

Do you not worry that with clubs such as Hull finding their feet at the end of the season, we are going to end up with a group of teams playing a similar sort of football to Derby next season? Hull are never going to have the finances in place to buy the quality needed for a premier league team to survive, whereas Watford and West brom so appear to have the depth to make next seasons relegation fight less predictable. Although Hull fully deserve to go up on merit, is it merely going to be a chance of earning millions for one season before returning to another decade of championship mediocrity?

Posted 16:39 16th April 2008

Chris Lamb (cheshiretigers) says...

Hi Kammy, My family and I would like to thank you for showing recognition for all the hard work Phil Brown, Brian Horton players and back room staff have done since that lowly position of last season. Have you read Deano's autobiography Kammy? It's a must, my son bought copy for my wife, and at Preston North End this season, I grabbed Deano after his warm up, when he kindly signed it for her. I did say to him that the language was a bit over the top, and he looked at me with that cheeky expression, and then burst out laughing when I said I meant his wife's comments not his! One last thing Kammy, did you know that his book has out sold Ronaldos! So maybe he is one of the brightest footballers in the world off the pitch! Cheers mate, Fantastic show, and fantastic web column

Posted 15:05 16th April 2008

Matt Sillitoe says...

Hi Chris, as far as I can see I agree with you Hull City will get promoted and I think their manager is the best in the championship! I would like to know how do you think Ipswich will finish up this season? Do you think they can sneak into the play offs and if so at who's expense? cheers.

Posted 14:20 16th April 2008

Paul Spratt says...

Chris, Rob makes a great point about the style of football played outside of the Premiership. I'm a Charlton fan and have to watch our so-called "footballing" side play long ball every week. With all due respect to the smaller teams doing well, but I worry about the strength of the division this year. With the likes of Hull, Bristol City and Plymouth doing so well, I think promotion would result in another Derby situation due to their lack of financial clout. As for us, I think that Pards has made some bad signings, Greg Halford and Chris Iwelumo being two major ones. We need to re-build over the summer and change our style of play back to what suits us - quick football - pass and move. Who do we need to bring in to fire us back up next season or should we be looking for a change at the helm? Selling Andy Reid on the cheap - do we have the ambition to go up?

Posted 13:53 16th April 2008

James Wakley says...

Hi Chris, like you said one hell of a tight season with alot of "surprise" results and teams at both ends of the table that nobody was predicting! You've covered the top end of the table with your analysis above, I was just wondering what are your current thoughts for the bottom end, who do you think will join Scunthorpe and Colchester?

Posted 13:37 16th April 2008

Page 1 of 1