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Match Report: Outplayed but never outfought


Olé

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I've been a bit too positive this season so let's get this out the way first: we were second best for an hour, were largely outplayed by a surprisingly fluent and neat home side, and for once this season didn't have any shape or identity and didn't  create any serious spells of possession. By City's standards this was poor stuff, a throwback to last season. And yet while we were outplayed, today we showed the gritty determination of a team who will not be outfought.

The difference between the first 45 minutes and the second 45 minutes was down to our shape. First half narrow, deep, with no overlaps on either wing, and overrun by an impressive Hull side that played short passing and sustained wing to wing probing, while pressing us across the pitch. Hull were far better than their recent standing and looked like we have this season. Unfortunately we looked like we did last season, flat in shape and devoid of ideas. 

Then at half time the perfect reaction from Johnson, introducing much needed width - Eliasson and Paterson - that would in the end be decisive (Eliason's pin point curling crosses and Pateson's single minded running causing havoc) though in truth it wasn't until the last 30 with the commandeering Djuric on to lead the line, that we finally got the better of a good Hull side, whose joined up play visibly crumbled, fragility of confidence that was so familiar to us last campaign. 

So today we were outplayed for once, but we saw another much needed ingredient: fight. For the entire match we had players who looked like winners - a clue that even when it wasn't going our way, it could turn. In a poor first half Pack was everywhere in midfield (his yellow the likely reason for his departure) while Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill were absolutely barnstorming throughout, not simply when it started to go our way second half. Correcting the shape got us back into the game, and then a far superior fight and energy in the final quarter won it for us.

Hull were all over us in the first half, producing all the shots on goal. City were pushed back by their swift passing and interplay around our box and our defence had to be at its best to track and block crosses and shots, Magnússon at left back in particular having a very good game marshalling his opposite number and tidying up whenever required. If we ever got hold of the ball, Woodrow dropped deep for his few touches and O'Dowda had no support, so counters were gobbled up swiftly. The home side eventually took a deserved lead when Campbell bundled home from a cross. 

Into the second half and Eliasson on as sub started to work their full back and create crossing opportunities, and Magnússon and Wright were visibly looking to push up and support, but initially City failed to settle into the sudden attacking change of shape and now short a man in central midfield, continued to surrender more space to the passing and movement of an impressive, and now confident Hull side. It was looking like a poor day at the office when Hull capped a sustained spell of pressure winning headers in and around the box as City badly failed to clear their lines and lost successive second balls, the ball nodded back behind the defence for the easy finish.

O'Dowda went off injured after his own rash challenge in retaliation for being bundled off the ball, and Duric came on, once again providing the decisive cameo to an away game, virtually faultless winning forward balls and flicking on to create the lanes into which teammates broke. The other feature of City's better play continued to be Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill's relentless drive out of midfield (squandered first half when they were caught in possession with limited options in front of them). But now Smith would embark on a mesmerising 20 yard run before slipping the ball inside the defence for Reid - possibly offside - whose low shot was blocked by the keeper.

Eliasson, bright and sharp with the ball, was starting to get real joy running at their full back, aided by Wright overlapping. Among a succession of corners and free kicks Eliasson won - and then delivered - a now trademark curling whipped free kick beat all the defenders, Magnússon heading goalward and Flint crashing home as Hull tried desperately to clear off the line. Eliasson is a special kind of player that City have not had for a good few years, every cross is perfectly weighted and dangerously curling away from defenders, inviting the finish, hopefully the days of inconsistent and tame crossing are soon going to be a thing of the past. 

With quarter of an hour remaining and City starting to surge, Brownhill demonstrated what a complete player he will be, with an all action couple of minutes, the prelude to the final act of his stunning individual performance of will to win. At one end of the pitch he would chase back as Hull broke dangerously - as they still continued to do - and get ahead of the striker to block a shot. A minute later he fought for and cut out the ball out on the left in his own half and broke dangerously, releasing Reid on the left wing, who was unceremoniously dumped over. Paterson swung in the free kick, City now aerially dominant won the first ball and Reid bundled over the line.

By now Hull's confidence was shot, resorting to long balls forward as City powered forward led by Duric. Smith fired over from the edge of the box, Flint fired wide and Paterson would be sent on a mazy run back and forth across the box beating players at will before squandering possession with neither a pass nor finish. The sensational climax was entirely down to the player who fought for everything, Brownhill. In front of the away end yet another attack had players pouring forward, but outside the box Hull stepped up to dispossess, seemingly to rob the opportunity. Brownhill followed in to recover possession, stretching every sinew and tumbling as he did. He somehow kept his composure, and more importantly his balance, to drive on with the ball to outside the box, before arrowing the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Delirium. City celebrated in front of the away end and capped a fighting comeback that owed much to the energy and determination of the players on a day when they were certainly outplayed for the majority by a neat but ultimately fragile Hull side. In an impressive season already this was not a script City had written before - less the possession and slick expansiveness of many performances, more the driving will to win of a team that spent large periods under the cosh, but in Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill had two midfielders who never know when they are beaten, and in Eliasson and Duric have two class acts from the bench who will surely be fixtures in the first team before too long.

Fielding 7 Made a number of other important saves from the many others shots Hull had
Wright 7 Solid but only got forward to good effect in the second half
Magnússon 8 One of his best defensive performances and best this season
Flint 7 Makes up for any limitations with his contribution at set pieces at the other end
Baker 7 Single-handedly won a lot throughout the game, first goal was an anomaly
Smith 9 Never stopped running and got on the ball driving City forward second half
Pack 7 Possibly our best player of the first half, was everywhere across the midfield and was clearly playing to keep his place, unlucky to go off
Brownhill 9 Everywhere at both ends of the pitch and even when he looks absolutely shattered finds the energy to go again. 
O'Dowda 6 Not his sort of game, had no support first half and so had few options he was well marked and frequently bundled off the ball 
Reid 6 Not his best game by any means but always involved in our best interplay 
Woodrow 6 A few neat touches dropping deep to exchange passes but ultimately not a target man and easily marked out of the game

Eliasson 8 Getting better and better. Best crosser of the ball at the club and looks very consistent and sensible rather than headless when going at defenders
Paterson 6 Very bright with the ball and his movement and dribbling made it harder for Hull to press and cut out passes, but not a lot of end product
Duric 7 You know the story, wins literally everything sent his way and always gets the ball to a teammate. We look a significantly better side when he's on the pitch

 

 

 

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1 minute ago, Olé said:

I've been a bit too positive this season so let's get this out the way first: we were second best for an hour, were largely outplayed by a surprisingly fluent and neat home side, and for once this season didn't have any shape or identity and didn't  create any serious spells of possession. By City's standards this was poor stuff, a throwback to last season. And yet while we were outplayed, today we showed the gritty determination of a team who will not be outfought.

The difference between the first 45 minutes and the second 45 minutes was down to our shape. First half narrow, deep, with no overlaps on either wing, and overrun by an impressive Hull side that played short passing and sustained wing to wing probing, while pressing us across the pitch. Hull were far better than their recent standing and looked like we have this season. Unfortunately we looked like we did last season, flat in shape and devoid of ideas. 

Then at half time the perfect reaction from Johnson, introducing much needed width - Eliasson and Paterson - that would in the end be decisive (Eliason's pin point curling crosses and Pateson's single minded running causing havoc) though in truth it wasn't until the last 30 with the commandeering Djuric on to lead the line, that we finally got the better of a good Hull side, whose joined up play visibly crumbled, fragility of confidence that was so familiar to us last campaign. 

So today we were outplayed for once, but we saw another much needed ingredient: fight. For the entire match we had players who looked like winners - a clue that even when it wasn't going our way, it could turn. In a poor first half Pack was everywhere in midfield (his yellow the likely reason for his departure) while Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill were absolutely barnstorming throughout, not simply when it started to go our way second half. Correcting the shape got us back into the game, and then a far superior fight and energy in the final quarter won it for us.

Hull were all over us in the first half, producing all the shots on goal. City were pushed back by their swift passing and interplay around our box and our defence had to be at its best to track and block crosses and shots, Magnússon at left back in particular having a very good game marshalling his opposite number and tidying up whenever required. If we ever got hold of the ball, Woodrow dropped deep for his few touches and O'Dowda had no support, so counters were gobbled up swiftly. The home side eventually took a deserved lead when Campbell bundled home from a cross. 

Into the second half and Eliasson on as sub started to work their full back and create crossing opportunities, and Magnússon and Wright were visibly looking to push up and support, but initially City failed to settle into the sudden attacking change of shape and now short a man in central midfield, continued to surrender more space to the passing and movement of an impressive, and now confident Hull side. It was looking like a poor day at the office when Hull capped a sustained spell of pressure winning headers in and around the box as City badly failed to clear their lines and lost successive second balls, the ball nodded back behind the defence for the easy finish.

O'Dowda went off injured after his own rash challenge in retaliation for being bundled off the ball, and Duric came on, once again providing the decisive cameo to an away game, virtually faultless winning forward balls and flicking on to create the lanes into which teammates broke. The other feature of City's better play continued to be Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill's relentless drive out of midfield (squandered first half when they were caught in possession with limited options in front of them). But now Smith would embark on a mesmerising 20 yard run before slipping the ball inside the defence for Reid - possibly offside - whose low shot was blocked by the keeper.

Eliasson, bright and sharp with the ball, was starting to get real joy running at their full back, aided by Wright overlapping. Among a succession of corners and free kicks Eliasson won - and then delivered - a now trademark curling whipped free kick beat all the defenders, Magnússon heading goalward and Flint crashing home as Hull tried desperately to clear off the line. Eliasson is a special kind of player that City have not had for a good few years, every cross is perfectly weighted and dangerously curling away from defenders, inviting the finish, hopefully the days of inconsistent and tame crossing are soon going to be a thing of the past. 

With quarter of an hour remaining and City starting to surge, Brownhill demonstrated what a complete player he will be, with an all action couple of minutes, the prelude to the final act of his stunning individual performance of will to win. At one end of the pitch he would chase back as Hull broke dangerously - as they still continued to do - and get ahead of the striker to block a shot. A minute later he fought for and cut out the ball out on the left in his own half and broke dangerously, releasing Reid on the left wing, who was unceremoniously dumped over. Paterson swung in the free kick, City now aerially dominant won the first ball and Reid bundled over the line.

By now Hull's confidence was shot, resorting to long balls forward as City powered forward led by Duric. Smith fired over from the edge of the box, Flint fired wide and Paterson would be sent on a mazy run back and forth across the box beating players at will before squandering possession with neither a pass nor finish. The sensational climax was entirely down to the player who fought for everything, Brownhill. In front of the away end yet another attack had players pouring forward, but outside the box Hull stepped up to dispossess, seemingly to rob the opportunity. Brownhill followed in to recover possession, stretching every sinew and tumbling as he did. He somehow kept his composure, and more importantly his balance, to drive on with the ball to outside the box, before arrowing the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Delirium. City celebrated in front of the away end and capped a fighting comeback that owed much to the energy and determination of the players on a day when they were certainly outplayed for the majority by a neat but ultimately fragile Hull side. In an impressive season already this was not a script City had written before - less the possession and slick expansiveness of many performances, more the driving will to win of a team that spent large periods under the cosh, but in Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill had two midfielders who never know when they are beaten, and in Eliasson and Duric have two class acts from the bench who will surely be fixtures in the first team before too long.

Fielding 7 Made a number of other important saves from the many others shots Hull had
Wright 7 Solid but only got forward to good effect in the second half
Magnússon 8 One of his best defensive performances and best this season
Flint 7 Makes up for any limitations with his contribution at set pieces at the other end
Baker 7 Single-handedly won a lot throughout the game, first goal was an anomaly
Smith 9 Never stopped running and got on the ball driving City forward second half
Pack 7 Possibly our best player of the first half, was everywhere across the midfield and was clearly playing to keep his place, unlucky to go off
Brownhill 9 Everywhere at both ends of the pitch and even when he looks absolutely shattered finds the energy to go again. 
O'Dowda 6 Not his sort of game, had no support first half and so had few options he was well marked and frequently bundled off the ball 
Reid 6 Not his best game by any means but always involved in our best interplay 
Woodrow 6 A few neat touches dropping deep to exchange passes but ultimately not a target man and easily marked out of the game

Eliasson 8 Getting better and better. Best crosser of the ball at the club and looks very consistent and sensible rather than headless when going at defenders
Paterson 6 Very bright with the ball and his movement and dribbling made it harder for Hull to press and cut out passes, but not a lot of end product
Duric 7 You know the story, wins literally everything sent his way and always gets the ball to a teammate. We look a significantly better side when he's on the pitch

 

 

 

In before someone quotes your whole post

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@Olé Outrageous to give smith a 9. Better in second half but nowhere near the performance that Brownhill gave. He’d be way down on my list of performers. 

Paterson was brought on behind Reid and only went wide due to COD’s injury and imo didn’t actually stay wide a great deal. 

Woodrow doesn’t even deserve a 6, struggling to remember any of those “neat touches” you’re referring to. Deserved to go off and to give him the same rating as Reid is imo harsh on Bobby. Perhaps Reid deserved more than a 6? 

Interesting the contrast in impact from both Eliason and Paterson, Paterson moved inside a lot so perhaps that made it harder for him to get on the Ball and impact the team. 

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17 minutes ago, Olé said:

I've been a bit too positive this season so let's get this out the way first: we were second best for an hour, were largely outplayed by a surprisingly fluent and neat home side, and for once this season didn't have any shape or identity and didn't  create any serious spells of possession. By City's standards this was poor stuff, a throwback to last season. And yet while we were outplayed, today we showed the gritty determination of a team who will not be outfought.

The difference between the first 45 minutes and the second 45 minutes was down to our shape. First half narrow, deep, with no overlaps on either wing, and overrun by an impressive Hull side that played short passing and sustained wing to wing probing, while pressing us across the pitch. Hull were far better than their recent standing and looked like we have this season. Unfortunately we looked like we did last season, flat in shape and devoid of ideas. 

Then at half time the perfect reaction from Johnson, introducing much needed width - Eliasson and Paterson - that would in the end be decisive (Eliason's pin point curling crosses and Pateson's single minded running causing havoc) though in truth it wasn't until the last 30 with the commandeering Djuric on to lead the line, that we finally got the better of a good Hull side, whose joined up play visibly crumbled, fragility of confidence that was so familiar to us last campaign. 

So today we were outplayed for once, but we saw another much needed ingredient: fight. For the entire match we had players who looked like winners - a clue that even when it wasn't going our way, it could turn. In a poor first half Pack was everywhere in midfield (his yellow the likely reason for his departure) while Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill were absolutely barnstorming throughout, not simply when it started to go our way second half. Correcting the shape got us back into the game, and then a far superior fight and energy in the final quarter won it for us.

Hull were all over us in the first half, producing all the shots on goal. City were pushed back by their swift passing and interplay around our box and our defence had to be at its best to track and block crosses and shots, Magnússon at left back in particular having a very good game marshalling his opposite number and tidying up whenever required. If we ever got hold of the ball, Woodrow dropped deep for his few touches and O'Dowda had no support, so counters were gobbled up swiftly. The home side eventually took a deserved lead when Campbell bundled home from a cross. 

Into the second half and Eliasson on as sub started to work their full back and create crossing opportunities, and Magnússon and Wright were visibly looking to push up and support, but initially City failed to settle into the sudden attacking change of shape and now short a man in central midfield, continued to surrender more space to the passing and movement of an impressive, and now confident Hull side. It was looking like a poor day at the office when Hull capped a sustained spell of pressure winning headers in and around the box as City badly failed to clear their lines and lost successive second balls, the ball nodded back behind the defence for the easy finish.

O'Dowda went off injured after his own rash challenge in retaliation for being bundled off the ball, and Duric came on, once again providing the decisive cameo to an away game, virtually faultless winning forward balls and flicking on to create the lanes into which teammates broke. The other feature of City's better play continued to be Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill's relentless drive out of midfield (squandered first half when they were caught in possession with limited options in front of them). But now Smith would embark on a mesmerising 20 yard run before slipping the ball inside the defence for Reid - possibly offside - whose low shot was blocked by the keeper.

Eliasson, bright and sharp with the ball, was starting to get real joy running at their full back, aided by Wright overlapping. Among a succession of corners and free kicks Eliasson won - and then delivered - a now trademark curling whipped free kick beat all the defenders, Magnússon heading goalward and Flint crashing home as Hull tried desperately to clear off the line. Eliasson is a special kind of player that City have not had for a good few years, every cross is perfectly weighted and dangerously curling away from defenders, inviting the finish, hopefully the days of inconsistent and tame crossing are soon going to be a thing of the past. 

With quarter of an hour remaining and City starting to surge, Brownhill demonstrated what a complete player he will be, with an all action couple of minutes, the prelude to the final act of his stunning individual performance of will to win. At one end of the pitch he would chase back as Hull broke dangerously - as they still continued to do - and get ahead of the striker to block a shot. A minute later he fought for and cut out the ball out on the left in his own half and broke dangerously, releasing Reid on the left wing, who was unceremoniously dumped over. Paterson swung in the free kick, City now aerially dominant won the first ball and Reid bundled over the line.

By now Hull's confidence was shot, resorting to long balls forward as City powered forward led by Duric. Smith fired over from the edge of the box, Flint fired wide and Paterson would be sent on a mazy run back and forth across the box beating players at will before squandering possession with neither a pass nor finish. The sensational climax was entirely down to the player who fought for everything, Brownhill. In front of the away end yet another attack had players pouring forward, but outside the box Hull stepped up to dispossess, seemingly to rob the opportunity. Brownhill followed in to recover possession, stretching every sinew and tumbling as he did. He somehow kept his composure, and more importantly his balance, to drive on with the ball to outside the box, before arrowing the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Delirium. City celebrated in front of the away end and capped a fighting comeback that owed much to the energy and determination of the players on a day when they were certainly outplayed for the majority by a neat but ultimately fragile Hull side. In an impressive season already this was not a script City had written before - less the possession and slick expansiveness of many performances, more the driving will to win of a team that spent large periods under the cosh, but in Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill had two midfielders who never know when they are beaten, and in Eliasson and Duric have two class acts from the bench who will surely be fixtures in the first team before too long.

Fielding 7 Made a number of other important saves from the many others shots Hull had
Wright 7 Solid but only got forward to good effect in the second half
Magnússon 8 One of his best defensive performances and best this season
Flint 7 Makes up for any limitations with his contribution at set pieces at the other end
Baker 7 Single-handedly won a lot throughout the game, first goal was an anomaly
Smith 9 Never stopped running and got on the ball driving City forward second half
Pack 7 Possibly our best player of the first half, was everywhere across the midfield and was clearly playing to keep his place, unlucky to go off
Brownhill 9 Everywhere at both ends of the pitch and even when he looks absolutely shattered finds the energy to go again. 
O'Dowda 6 Not his sort of game, had no support first half and so had few options he was well marked and frequently bundled off the ball 
Reid 6 Not his best game by any means but always involved in our best interplay 
Woodrow 6 A few neat touches dropping deep to exchange passes but ultimately not a target man and easily marked out of the game

Eliasson 8 Getting better and better. Best crosser of the ball at the club and looks very consistent and sensible rather than headless when going at defenders
Paterson 6 Very bright with the ball and his movement and dribbling made it harder for Hull to press and cut out passes, but not a lot of end product
Duric 7 You know the story, wins literally everything sent his way and always gets the ball to a teammate. We look a significantly better side when he's on the pitch

 

 

 

I love reading your posts post match but i'm sorry I cannot agree with your comments re Pack, 2 ridiculously stupid unnecessary fouls inside 5 minutes for his booking and then followed up later in the half by 2 more equally stupid unnecessary fouls, none of his fouls fell into the category of taking one for the team, he could easily have been sent off.

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20 minutes ago, Shtanley said:

@Olé Outrageous to give smith a 9. Better in second half but nowhere near the performance that Brownhill gave. He’d be way down on my list of performers. 

Paterson was brought on behind Reid and only went wide due to COD’s injury and imo didn’t actually stay wide a great deal. 

Woodrow doesn’t even deserve a 6, struggling to remember any of those “neat touches” you’re referring to. Deserved to go off and to give him the same rating as Reid is imo harsh on Bobby. Perhaps Reid deserved more than a 6? 

Interesting the contrast in impact from both Eliason and Paterson, Paterson moved inside a lot so perhaps that made it harder for him to get on the Ball and impact the team. 

I agree with the first sentence, Smith came into his own for the last 25 minutes but had been ineffective beforehand. Brownhill was my MOM the best player on the pitch especially in the 2nd half and Smith's 25 minute performance was important to the overall result.

What Patterson did do was to move their back 4 around creating more space and forcing their midfield back.

Woodrow did have plenty of neat touches without ever looking like a goal threat, he held the ball up better than Reid, his problem was virtually every time he turned he turned inside and into trouble.

All 3 subs affected the game, Patterson as described above, Eliasson started to deliver some dangerous crosses and actually got in a good free kick that led to the first goal and Djuric gave them something different to think about, their defence had had it far too easy in the first half.

My biggest criticism is the comments about Pack, he was lucky not to have been sent off.

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Eliasson was had most assists in the Swedish leauge. He has very good feets and he is a very good player. He always tries to do something with the ball. Think he will be better and better, a player that we need in City. The result today was amazing. Hope it will be ok with Odowda. Nice for Hörður to get a win. He started not so well but improved during the game. Today was really something, COYR!!!

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22 minutes ago, sab said:

I am sorry- your reports are always excellent but come on re maggs! He is a mistake waiting to happen. An 8- really? One out if 3 things he does is a mistake. He is completely out of his depth.

Were you there?

i agree he always looks likely to gift a chance but today I thought he sounded solid. 

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56 minutes ago, Olé said:

I've been a bit too positive this season so let's get this out the way first: we were second best for an hour, were largely outplayed by a surprisingly fluent and neat home side, and for once this season didn't have any shape or identity and didn't  create any serious spells of possession. By City's standards this was poor stuff, a throwback to last season. And yet while we were outplayed, today we showed the gritty determination of a team who will not be outfought.

The difference between the first 45 minutes and the second 45 minutes was down to our shape. First half narrow, deep, with no overlaps on either wing, and overrun by an impressive Hull side that played short passing and sustained wing to wing probing, while pressing us across the pitch. Hull were far better than their recent standing and looked like we have this season. Unfortunately we looked like we did last season, flat in shape and devoid of ideas. 

Then at half time the perfect reaction from Johnson, introducing much needed width - Eliasson and Paterson - that would in the end be decisive (Eliason's pin point curling crosses and Pateson's single minded running causing havoc) though in truth it wasn't until the last 30 with the commandeering Djuric on to lead the line, that we finally got the better of a good Hull side, whose joined up play visibly crumbled, fragility of confidence that was so familiar to us last campaign. 

So today we were outplayed for once, but we saw another much needed ingredient: fight. For the entire match we had players who looked like winners - a clue that even when it wasn't going our way, it could turn. In a poor first half Pack was everywhere in midfield (his yellow the likely reason for his departure) while Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill were absolutely barnstorming throughout, not simply when it started to go our way second half. Correcting the shape got us back into the game, and then a far superior fight and energy in the final quarter won it for us.

Hull were all over us in the first half, producing all the shots on goal. City were pushed back by their swift passing and interplay around our box and our defence had to be at its best to track and block crosses and shots, Magnússon at left back in particular having a very good game marshalling his opposite number and tidying up whenever required. If we ever got hold of the ball, Woodrow dropped deep for his few touches and O'Dowda had no support, so counters were gobbled up swiftly. The home side eventually took a deserved lead when Campbell bundled home from a cross. 

Into the second half and Eliasson on as sub started to work their full back and create crossing opportunities, and Magnússon and Wright were visibly looking to push up and support, but initially City failed to settle into the sudden attacking change of shape and now short a man in central midfield, continued to surrender more space to the passing and movement of an impressive, and now confident Hull side. It was looking like a poor day at the office when Hull capped a sustained spell of pressure winning headers in and around the box as City badly failed to clear their lines and lost successive second balls, the ball nodded back behind the defence for the easy finish.

O'Dowda went off injured after his own rash challenge in retaliation for being bundled off the ball, and Duric came on, once again providing the decisive cameo to an away game, virtually faultless winning forward balls and flicking on to create the lanes into which teammates broke. The other feature of City's better play continued to be Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill's relentless drive out of midfield (squandered first half when they were caught in possession with limited options in front of them). But now Smith would embark on a mesmerising 20 yard run before slipping the ball inside the defence for Reid - possibly offside - whose low shot was blocked by the keeper.

Eliasson, bright and sharp with the ball, was starting to get real joy running at their full back, aided by Wright overlapping. Among a succession of corners and free kicks Eliasson won - and then delivered - a now trademark curling whipped free kick beat all the defenders, Magnússon heading goalward and Flint crashing home as Hull tried desperately to clear off the line. Eliasson is a special kind of player that City have not had for a good few years, every cross is perfectly weighted and dangerously curling away from defenders, inviting the finish, hopefully the days of inconsistent and tame crossing are soon going to be a thing of the past. 

With quarter of an hour remaining and City starting to surge, Brownhill demonstrated what a complete player he will be, with an all action couple of minutes, the prelude to the final act of his stunning individual performance of will to win. At one end of the pitch he would chase back as Hull broke dangerously - as they still continued to do - and get ahead of the striker to block a shot. A minute later he fought for and cut out the ball out on the left in his own half and broke dangerously, releasing Reid on the left wing, who was unceremoniously dumped over. Paterson swung in the free kick, City now aerially dominant won the first ball and Reid bundled over the line.

By now Hull's confidence was shot, resorting to long balls forward as City powered forward led by Duric. Smith fired over from the edge of the box, Flint fired wide and Paterson would be sent on a mazy run back and forth across the box beating players at will before squandering possession with neither a pass nor finish. The sensational climax was entirely down to the player who fought for everything, Brownhill. In front of the away end yet another attack had players pouring forward, but outside the box Hull stepped up to dispossess, seemingly to rob the opportunity. Brownhill followed in to recover possession, stretching every sinew and tumbling as he did. He somehow kept his composure, and more importantly his balance, to drive on with the ball to outside the box, before arrowing the ball past the keeper into the bottom corner.

Delirium. City celebrated in front of the away end and capped a fighting comeback that owed much to the energy and determination of the players on a day when they were certainly outplayed for the majority by a neat but ultimately fragile Hull side. In an impressive season already this was not a script City had written before - less the possession and slick expansiveness of many performances, more the driving will to win of a team that spent large periods under the cosh, but in Korey Smith and Josh Brownhill had two midfielders who never know when they are beaten, and in Eliasson and Duric have two class acts from the bench who will surely be fixtures in the first team before too long.

Fielding 7 Made a number of other important saves from the many others shots Hull had
Wright 7 Solid but only got forward to good effect in the second half
Magnússon 8 One of his best defensive performances and best this season
Flint 7 Makes up for any limitations with his contribution at set pieces at the other end
Baker 7 Single-handedly won a lot throughout the game, first goal was an anomaly
Smith 9 Never stopped running and got on the ball driving City forward second half
Pack 7 Possibly our best player of the first half, was everywhere across the midfield and was clearly playing to keep his place, unlucky to go off
Brownhill 9 Everywhere at both ends of the pitch and even when he looks absolutely shattered finds the energy to go again. 
O'Dowda 6 Not his sort of game, had no support first half and so had few options he was well marked and frequently bundled off the ball 
Reid 6 Not his best game by any means but always involved in our best interplay 
Woodrow 6 A few neat touches dropping deep to exchange passes but ultimately not a target man and easily marked out of the game

Eliasson 8 Getting better and better. Best crosser of the ball at the club and looks very consistent and sensible rather than headless when going at defenders
Paterson 6 Very bright with the ball and his movement and dribbling made it harder for Hull to press and cut out passes, but not a lot of end product
Duric 7 You know the story, wins literally everything sent his way and always gets the ball to a teammate. We look a significantly better side when he's on the pitch

 

 

 

Superb write up again Ole. 

The one big omission in your post is the fantastic Red Army who willed on the team and outsung the home support.

You guys make me very proud. 

:clap:

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I thought it was quite a similar game to the Wolves and Brentford away games, where we were also pretty comprehensively outplayed. 

I actually thought we did OK for the first 15 mins but from then on it was one way traffic until Flint scored.

There seems to be two sides to this City team. The one that sits deep and tries to play the ball sideways and backwards in order to try and retain possession. Then, there is the one that plays fast, direct attacking football that is a danger going forward to any team in this division - Wolves included.

But we are (like most football teams) not the finished article by a long stretch, are inconsistent and given the quality of our midfield players I would suggest need to give a serious rethink as to the merits of trying to play a possession based game. I'm not sure we have the required quality of player to implement such an 'identity'.

It's becoming clear that we perform better when the pressure is off, we don't have to worry about keeping hold of the ball and instead get it forward quickly into dangerous areas. How that fits into LJs overall plan for us I don' know.

But another thing is also becoming clear. This squad has bags of desire, determination and spirit. That alone has already won us many points this season in spite of poor performance. Today being a perfect example.

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12 hours ago, sab said:

I am sorry- your reports are always excellent but come on re maggs! He is a mistake waiting to happen. An 8- really? One out if 3 things he does is a mistake. He is completely out of his depth.

Perhaps what he needs is a sustained run in the team. Being asked to play when you've been sitting on the bench for several months, it's no wonder he's taken a few games to get back up to match speed.

Your last sentence is just nonsense.

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6 hours ago, Up The City! said:

Hull are a decent side, at one point wasn't they the highest scorers in this league? They remind me of us last season, play well, take a lead and then blow it.

Eventually they will come good, I was just pleased they didn't come good against us today.

I hope they stick with their manager like we did with LJ.

Hull are a decent side but having visited several Hull Fans Forums it's clear that they are a club in turmoil.

The difference is that we are a solid club from the bottom to the top and everyone ( except Thatch ) is pulling in the same direction.

This is our strength. We have a plan and are sticking to it . 

The lads that came up from the third division maybe lack a bit of quality but what they don't lack is heart and drive . 

Frankie , Packy, Flinty , Bryany , Reidy will all run through walls to move this club forward and the new lads coming in have also bought into this spirit.

Long may it continue.

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11 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I thought it was quite a similar game to the Wolves and Brentford away games, where we were also pretty comprehensively outplayed. 

I actually thought we did OK for the first 15 mins but from then on it was one way traffic until Flint scored.

There seems to be two sides to this City team. The one that sits deep and tries to play the ball sideways and backwards in order to try and retain possession. Then, there is the one that plays fast, direct attacking football that is a danger going forward to any team in this division - Wolves included.

But we are (like most football teams) not the finished article by a long stretch, are inconsistent and given the quality of our midfield players I would suggest need to give a serious rethink as to the merits of trying to play a possession based game. I'm not sure we have the required quality of player to implement such an 'identity'.

It's becoming clear that we perform better when the pressure is off, we don't have to worry about keeping hold of the ball and instead get it forward quickly into dangerous areas. How that fits into LJs overall plan for us I don' know.

But another thing is also becoming clear. This squad has bags of desire, determination and spirit. That alone has already won us many points this season in spite of poor performance. Today being a perfect example.

Interesting as we had 57% possession yesterday.

However...I do agree, we play better when out of possession, pressing high, winning the ball the counter attacking fast.

When in possession, and starting from the back we are often laboured and lacking quality in the middle and movement.

We seem to work harder when not in possession.

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15 hours ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I thought it was quite a similar game to the Wolves and Brentford away games, where we were also pretty comprehensively outplayed. 

I actually thought we did OK for the first 15 mins but from then on it was one way traffic until Flint scored.

There seems to be two sides to this City team. The one that sits deep and tries to play the ball sideways and backwards in order to try and retain possession. Then, there is the one that plays fast, direct attacking football that is a danger going forward to any team in this division - Wolves included.

But we are (like most football teams) not the finished article by a long stretch, are inconsistent and given the quality of our midfield players I would suggest need to give a serious rethink as to the merits of trying to play a possession based game. I'm not sure we have the required quality of player to implement such an 'identity'.

It's becoming clear that we perform better when the pressure is off, we don't have to worry about keeping hold of the ball and instead get it forward quickly into dangerous areas. How that fits into LJs overall plan for us I don' know.

But another thing is also becoming clear. This squad has bags of desire, determination and spirit. That alone has already won us many points this season in spite of poor performance. Today being a perfect example.

Dare I say it, the best spirit since that Championship winning side Cotts brought together? Quite an achievement given it wasn't a happy camp last season. 

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Again a good report Olé. Didn't hear the radio commentary as I was at the Millennium for Wales v NZ. So unable to add anything about our game.

It strikes me that we are slap bang in the middle of the quality band at the moment and that this season could go either way. I don't see us improving significantly until all the wounded return and as that won't be until March or thereabouts, the situation well remain as is now.

We're getting points when we play badly and defeats in about the same ratio. Many on here had a go at me for saying that against PNE we were dismal, but it sounds like it was the same yesterday for 70 minutes. I'm still thinking that we are over performing at this time in respect of points gathered although the whole squad are pulling so hard in the same direction. If it continues, we'll finish well up the table.The alternative which is probably only a very fine margin away, isn't worth thinking about.

I want us to get to the Premier but not at the end of this season because we'd need to replace too many of the squad in one go. Let's use next summer and January for that. 

 

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