United – It was our poorest performance of the week and the sloppiest we have been since Birmingham at home. Fortunately, Hull were not as good as the Blues as an opponent and other than a couple of chances second half; we were still the better side in my opinion. First half we had so much of the ball as they just sat back and defended in numbers. We were too slow to move it on and I felt did not create much considering how much we had of it. A few half chances but nothing clear cut really; maybe Stevens miskick the best chance. You could see the players did not quite have the zip of recent games and maybe the schedule took its toll. Still, I felt we had enough to get the win. Second half we started poorly again – been a concern in recent games despite the overall performance and results. They had a few chances and Henderson made 2 good saves. It became much more even and a bit more open as they had a go. Our passing became sloppy and we were not really creating too much but you sensed it was 1-0 or 0-1 an did not feel either side would come back from the other scoring just because of the sort of game it was. We fortunately got our noses in front and after this we saw it out professionally. It was a gritty more than accomplished performance but a huge three points as even though we were not our best; we did just enough to get the win.
We will play better than that and probably not win or draw some games. That is just the way it goes. Still despite the performance level not quite being up there; we still saw some real plusses. The defence was solid with Henderson and Egan stand outs and another clean sheet – second in a week. The midfield showed quality at times on the ball and helped us control things in there for large parts. Coutts got some more time too. Overall, we have to be delighted. We are top of the league – two key men from last season Clarke and even Fleck not quite found the form of last season.
We have nice little break now and then a tough few games coming up. We have played some of the poorer team in the last spell of fixtures in terms of where they are in the league and will play a few teams higher up the table now so be a tougher test. I actually think that might help though that teams may come out more and mean we get more space at the other end of the field. We actually might be better away from home too; due to the way we play and home teams having to come onto us more also. Today was hard with so little space and the players looking a bit heavy legged but it was a crucial win and is so nice to look at that league table.
It might not last and we might not finish top 6 but it is important to just enjoy the moment sometimes. I never thought we would be up there this year and we may not last the pace again but they have pleasantly surprised me how well they have begun this season. The new signings have been excellent too and really made a difference. Huge well done to Wilder, Knill, Mitchell etc. It is testament to their management, coaching and scouting; that there are probably a dozen sides at least who have spent more money and have higher wage bills but we sit above all of them this morning!
Hull – Mixed really. First half they were never in it and even though we were not outstanding we still dominated really without creating too much. They had 11 men behind the ball for long periods and spent most of the half just defending and trying to get men back and deny space. Maybe that was the right tactic as we did not create much but it was dire to watch and kind of ruined the game. They time wasted a lot from the keeper right down to 6 (SIX) players going down with various ‘injuries. Only one was serious as he had to go off but the rest of them were laughable as they just collapsed and literally pretended to be hurt. It was a clear ploy to slow the game down and mean any flow or momentum we could build up would be stopped. It was a bit pathetic I felt. Yes, they are struggling but at least try and have a go. You need wins not draws. Even a point today is not going to do much for them.
They then came out 2nd half and had a decent spell with Dicko having a few chances. At this stage they were right in the game and it was certainly more even 2nd half. We scored and then they started to panic and actually went away from what they had done better in terms of the ball up the front lad. They started knocking more balls into the box or trying long throws and we dealt with this better than the ball over the top to utilise his pace. I am not sure they had any chances of note at all after we scored and we kind of held on quite easily. Look low on confidence but the set up did not help. Chances wise they maybe had better ones than us although there hardly any in the game but they had so little of the football for long spells and were rarely trying to go forward. Overall, the verdict was about right as the first half we were the better side by a fair way but the second half it was more even. They will feel hard done by on the penalty as there was nothing in the game really and it was a pivotal moment but it was stupid by the centre back and ultimately cost them the game.
As for the rest of the season; as poor as they were in their approach, I am not sure they were any worse than quite a few sides that have been down here and I think they will get some results to maybe do just about enough to stay up. They have some decent players and I think they have a bit more quality than say Bolton or Rotherham or even Ipswich – my tips to go down. However, they will have to get a new manager for me. All his garbage about effort and players trying is exactly that garbage. It is a results-based business and they are bottom of the league. A few more poor results and they will probably get rid of him. That will be him done at the top level (in terms of upper ends of the pyramid) and if he opts to stay in Management, he will have to wait to see if a team in League Two takes him on as his last three appointments and records at those clubs has been really poor. The days of Scunny and Southampton seem a long way away and he does seem yesterday’s man now.
Opponent man of the match – The sub Dicko was their best and most dangerous player. He had 3 efforts on goal; all decent efforts rather than misses. He ran down the channels and showed pace and running and livened them up considerably and was much better than the ineffectual Campbell who he came on for. The lad Irvine showed bits and pieces but we kept his threat to a minimum. I thought they defended quite well and limited us to many chances. Surprised Elphick had not stayed at Villa as they seem poor at the back and are playing a midfielder at centre back in Jedinak. He was solid today for Hull but then undone all his good work with the penalty. The lad Burke alongside him was decent; who they got from West Ham. They were more workmanlike than any individuals standing out.
Weak link – The two front lads Martin and Campbell were never in the game until the latter of course went off. I thought in midfield Henriksen, Batty and Kingsley were rarely in the game and careless in possession. They improved after the break. The weak link for me is the manager. He set them up incredibly negatively. Yes, they had a spell after half time and then came again after we scored but the first 45 minutes his tactics and shape were set up to basically not concede. They did not even attempt to go forward. Yes, they are struggling but that kind of approach is why they are bottom of the league- why don’t you have a go at teams – you are bottom – try and win a game Adkins!