Post-Match Notes: Hull City’s Performance Against Watford
An unbeaten, but winless start to life at Hull City for Ruben Selles
This edition of Tigers Opinion asks the question are Hull City nasty enough on the pitch?
As well as… a fortuitous but deserved goal, three big chances missed and a few bright sparks showing tentative signs they have the ability deep down to set the league on fire.
New boss Ruben Selles opened his Hull City account with an unbeaten start, but fell short of a first game win with an agonising late equaliser.
Chris Bedia’s deft, literal touch, finish gave the Tigers a lead. Mehlem timed his late run well and created the chance for the bit of luck to occur for Bedia with all his guile to guide the ball with his hand in the other direction to the keepers dive.
Unfortunately for the Tigers Vata’s equaliser not long after meant the points were shared in the Humberside rain.
The ref was shocking in some of his decision making but thankfully didn’t have any big decisions to make that would have realistically affected the outcome of the game.
The first piece of this weeks analysis is a subjective personal observation that some may disagree with.
I don’t think Hull City are nasty enough to play against. Within the bounds of fair play and extending beyond this season there aren’t many in black and amber that thrive getting in and amongst it. The collective mentality of the team does not mean how the individuals who make it up play/think is identical to produce the overall team mentality the manager demands. A mix of personalities is essential in any team environment and the way most of the City players go about it seems far too respectful compared to the tactical physicality their recent opposition have shown in games I’ve seen.
Think of an opposition player you’ve watched that you in general don’t like because the way they played or something they did wound you and the crowd up. By putting in a hard tackle or foul, conning the ref etc and getting the opposition team / dugout / supporters on their back galvanises their team. It creates a mind set of their not getting it all their own way and might be distracted from the job at hand. That is potentially an instant mental win for their team depending on the circumstances.
Being on your opposite man’s shoulder, pushing them, letting the player you’re marking feel your presence helps knock people off their balance a bit, slow their run, or just slow the play with an inconsequential foul. Sheffield Wednesday’s attacking midfielders were particularly good at this in my opinion on recent viewing. Maybe because the Tigers were particularly awful in that match.
Nastiness, depending on the balance of characters in a group, benefits any sports team. Kasey Palmer lead by example in this regard on Wednesday by playing right on the edge. In particular by basically trying to get Imran Louza to do something to get himself sent off. Another was Pedro who had a moment of smashing into a Watford player after getting whacked for one himself. My point is the mental edge is often the difference between technically and physically matched sports teams, especially when your team is struggling.
Palmer and Pedro seem visibly annoyed with what has happened recently and intolerant of their fortunes not turning round. They turned that drive into being a pain to play against for Watford.
Moving on from the abstract football interpretations to more real and consequential opinions. It was such a shame a good defensive performance was undone by a moment of sitting off a bit and not defending the deep run into their own penalty area. I really thought the meaning of a win would drive them on to get it after Hull City took the lead. It was a brilliant solo run by the Watford man but the gap between the lines was just too big and lack of an early foul or pressure was their undoing.
To quote Roy Keane “I might smash into somebody, just to make me feel better”. This didn’t happen. It needed Mehlem or Slater’s tired legs to just get something on the Watford man early. Forget the ball, just give away a professional foul at that stage of the game.
What I think confirms the cause for continued cautious optimism is the Tigers missed three big chances. I think the Watford game proved they have the tools to create chances, they now have moved on to the hardest part of all… scoring created chances. I think all football fans bemoan big misses but it is actually the bare minimum for a team to win matches sometimes. As long as they start scoring more than they have been, the creating of more big chances bodes well.
Players that are showing early signs of flourishing under Selles next.
When he came on Mason Burstow got on the ball and brought a bit of directness. I’m very impressed with his cameos recently and the more minutes he gets the closer to being worthy of a start he will be, hopefully not on the wing but as a striker.
Is it because he wants a move away in January or to prove himself as a Tiger? Either way it is good news for the foreseeable as Ryan Giles looked like he can find his form again. He took up good attacking positions, made surging runs and defended better. His trademark crosses are missing their mark too often still but hopefully that will come with a run of games and with some luck the confidence from an assist or goal.
Rounding this edition off I’ll leave you with something to ponder. How many points is a good amount for City to pick up in the next four games (listed below). The realistic optimist in me would say five points (backing them to win one of them and only lose one). What would you consider a success from those matches?
Coventry (a) 14th, Swansea (h) 21st, Preston (a) 26th, Blackburn (a) 29th
UTT
