Hull City half-term report

Chris Harvey looks back on an amazing start to life in the Premier League for Hull City but sounds a note of caution for Tigers fans

Last updated: 31st December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hull City half-term report

Geovanni: has gone off the boil of late

HALF-TERM RATINGS
Marks for effort: B minus
Marks for achievement: A
Head boy: Marlon King
Strengths: Attacking flair, competitive spirit
Weaknesses: Defensive frailty, lack of pace
Predicted final place: 16th
August predicted final place: 19th

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Back in August I, like many, predicted a season of toil for the Tigers resulting in a swift return from whence they came and more years of struggle in the Championship.

How wrong I was. Hull City have been a revelation in their first season in English football's top flight and have become many fans' favourite second team along the way.

To find themselves sitting in the top half of the table midway through the campaign is surely beyond the wildest dreams of manager Phil Brown.

In my defence after predicting a 19th-placed finish, I did pen that to have a fighting chance of survival, Brown needed to bring in reinforcements up front in the summer.

And it was the recruitment of Marlon King and Daniel Cousin in the last days of the August transfer window that has allowed the Tigers to torment the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs on their own patch.

Getting so many points on their travels thanks to a vibrant brand of attacking football has been key to City's start. They have not been content to go to fortresses such as Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane looking to scrape a point and have reaped the rewards of taking the game to their illustrious opponents.

Their Brazilian playmaker Geovanni was inspirational in many of those early successes, given license to attack opponents and succeeding with a shoot-on-sight policy.

And herein lies the concern for Tigers fans. The little Brazilian has gone off the boil of late while Brown has also stopped fielding Cousin and King as a two-pronged attack. The trio, so prolific in the early stages, have dried up and goals are much harder to come by, both at the KC Stadium and away from home.

Infamous

Without a regular goal supply, the Tigers' Achilles heel becomes more evident - their defence. Hull City have conceded more goals than any team in the division; they have also been on the end of one or two thumpings, notably at home to Wigan and at Manchester City where Brown held his infamous half-time on-pitch teamtalk.

Michael Turner and on-loan signing Kamil Zayatte have formed a good partnership but they have also been responsible for one or two defensive blunders which you don't get away with in the Premier League, Chelsea among those to have profitted.

But it is not the central defenders who are of most concern. Brown has struggled to field a consistent pair of full-backs throughout the campaign due mainly to injuries and suspensions. Left-back Andy Dawson has been absent for several weeks now and the City manager needs to find a replacement in January. Sam Ricketts has filled in well but a natural left-footer would fit the bill better.

A look at the table should also fill City fans with a little concern. While they may be sitting pretty in the top half going into the New Year, they are only seven points above the drop zone and have won just once in their last 11 games.

The very nature of this extraordinary Premier League season could also count against them with none of the bottom 14 teams able to say with any certainty they are safe from the drop.

The Tigers' results against teams in and around the drop zone will be crucial as we approach the squeaky bum stage of the season.

City came away from the Hawthorns with a 3-0 win back in October - a convincing victory on paper but in truth they could easily have been on the end of a hiding had lady luck not smiled on them in the first half.

West Brom make the trip to the KC Stadium in January followed soon after by a visit from Blackburn and it is games like these the Tigers need to win to put more daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

Thanks to their flying start I believe Hull City will retain their Premier League status but there will be one or two worrying moments ahead in the second half of the season before survival is secured.

What do you think of the Tigers' start to life in the Premier League? Let us know using the form below.

Comments (11)

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Mike Stebbings (West Ham United fan) says...

Dave Wilson, Your comments amuse me. How can you say Wolves have more tradition and History then Hull City? Wolves are a nothing side and proved that in there little cameo appearance in the premier league all those years ago! I, like MANY others, would be happy if Wolves never made the premiership again. Hull City are a jewel in football's crown, showing that they can fight with the best the country and Europe has to offer. Now, down to more serious matters, The Tigers will stay up this year. The dreams of Europe are not going to happen and i think City will be sitting happy around 12-13th at the end of the season. There are teams who are far worse then City and just as long as three of them finish below them then i think City will be able to say "We had a good season!"

Posted 11:32 5th January 2009

Gav Rodgers (Hull City fan) says...

Having watched the Tigers live (on Showtime)Every week since the season started .I as should be the rest of the HULL CITY Faithful (WHO CAN GOTO EVERY GAME ) am a very proud man to see my HOME TEAM doing so well .I could not give a monkies how any other team is doing.So come on all you Tigers Fans. Give Your Team Your Full Vocal Support To The End. CITY TILL I DIE. It will be tough but what did you realy expect !!! Enjoy the experience After 104 years of trying & A WIN AT WEMBLEY!!!. This is a very successfull (not sure about spelling) time . And long may it continue ,The Transfer Window Is Open.So to all the Supporters from TUNS.COD .ALBERT upto THE TIGERS LAIR. Gray Cox.Knockers Wacker. Mickey, LeeJacko, Acko,Tommo & All the lads. COME ON YOU TIGERS!!!. FROM THE KC 2 WEMBLEY KEEP THE HULL FLAG FLYING HIGH.Happy New Year. GAV RODGERS (CYPRUS).

Posted 08:07 4th January 2009

Michael Ajegbo (Newcastle United fan) says...

This prediction is quite accurate. We all saw the hunger in the Hull players against Aston Villa before they conceded the own goal. Aston Villa were lost that game but got the 4 points. Why? Quality. Something Hull City do not have. Their first half of the season run occurred was great as they met teams at great times. But now we are seeing them get beat senseless and I only predict that to continue. But football has its funny ways. I believe Hull City will suffer many defeats before they reach 30 points.

Posted 13:31 3rd January 2009

Danny Kelly (Stoke City fan) says...

I like Hull's brand of football and I admire the way they take the game to their opponents regardless of their stature or reputation, they are not overoared by anyone. That's fantastic considering they have only just been promoted. Who needs Robinho to play attractive, flowing, attacking football when you have Geovanni? Long may it continue! I just wish Stoke played like that!

Posted 03:40 2nd January 2009

Philip Whitehead (Manchester United fan) says...

Hull have done very well this season and have the right sort of players and mentality. A couple more decent signings should see their good form continue and if Arsenal's rocky form keeps up I can see Hull snatching a European spot for next year, just behind Aston Villa who I feel can and will finish fourth.

Posted 17:49 1st January 2009

Connor Bullock (Hull City fan) says...

the comment below, i think you are absoloutely wrong, yes, were on a bad run, but we will fight back, only a couple more wins and were in the safety zone, west brom are down for me, as are blackburn and a huge fight between stoke and newcastle ( stoke will survive) just because wolves pretty much idolise us, near enough same kit colour and everything. Were the true amber army, so stay in the champ cos you wont stand a chance in the prem. We beat you both times last season and deserve to be were we are! a couple of good signings and 2 or 3 more wins included with draws, were safe, so dream on of us coming down mate!

Posted 15:09 1st January 2009

Ken Dayes (Hull City fan) says...

Dave, Hull City are creating history, we have tradition, and if you get promoted, you will understand how hard it is in the BPL. We sit 8th in the league having beat Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham, Midlesborough, drawn with Liverpool / Everton. We are earning the right to stay in this league. So stop being narrow minded, and support football rather than just Wolves.

Posted 15:08 1st January 2009

Brian Rhodes (Hull City fan) says...

Dave Wilson what is your problem? Are you just unhappy that a team that has similar colours to Wolves are doing better then them? Our 'Lego' stadium has won plenty of awards as has our 'Perma-tan' manager. Maybe you should be a Plymouth fan as you are obviously green with envy.

Posted 14:14 1st January 2009

Dave Wilson (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan) says...

I hope Hull are relegated. They have brought nothing to the Premiership at all. Their Lego stadium and their perma-tan manager are just a joke. It would be best for all concerned if they go down and let REAL footballing teams with history and tradition (like Wolves or Birmingham) take their place in the top flight.

Posted 10:01 1st January 2009

Norman Newsom (Hull City fan) says...

We will beat the drop. We were two minutes away from getting a draw against Villa. Two very harsh refereeing decisions cost us. It will be tough very tough. Brown's half time pitch talk will happen again. 5 wins, 4 draws the rest dare to dream. Come on you Hull. Win or lose I am still proud to be a Tigers fan :-)

Posted 12:24 31st December 2008

Erlend Aaseb (Hull City fan) says...

How can 67% of the people think Hull have done enough to not drop? We still have half a season. Relegation is only 7 (SEVEN) points away. If we'd play like we started, we'll be safe in no time, but we're not anymore. We need to get back to where we were. ALl that is needed is 13 points, but we need to get those. I love City, but I am far from able to say that we have done enough.

Posted 09:43 31st December 2008
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