Ratings v Hull City 1-0

[Davefevs]

A bit of a strange game.  An away team who attacked from the start, and a fairly open first half that ebbed and flowed as both teams created chances whilst on top.  City a bit casual with their passing causing problems, but broke the thirds easily at other times.  Second half was a case of us building pressure without really getting clear chances albeit a couple headed off the line that are easily forgotten.  So all in all, I think we deserved the win, against a side with good attacking players.

(6 is a player earning his corn) don’t like half marks, but felt they were needed tonight.

Max O’Leary - 7 - crucial save in the first minute, when he adjusted to save a shot going the opposite way to what he was going.  Generally assured, decisive when straying from his box, but one awful goal kick that almost led to a chance.  I think he might realise the quickness of thought of opponents and reflect on when to play.  Good, quick distribution in first half to send Hunt and Weimann away on the break.

Jack Hunt - 7 - thought he did well against a top player in Grosicki and was left a bit isolated by Eliasson until the tactical switch after 25 minutes.  Got forward well and got some fantastic crosses in.  Got his tackles in during the second period.

Jay Dasilva - 7 - Liking this lad more and more.  They picked him out from dead balls, but he won a good percentage of his defensive headers (leaps well).  A little casual against across a couple of early cross field balls, but after that he was great.  Quick feet enables him to travel with the ball, and gives us more than LK in this respect.  Drives forward a bit like Joe Bryan at times, and sure we’ll see more end product in time.

Tomas Kalas - 6.5 - thought he was a bit rusty tonight, and allowed Martin to get his body between him and ball too often.  Stuck to his task, but not as dominant as he can be.  Brave decision to rush him straight back, but giving Kelly a rest will benefit him in long run.

Adam Webster - 10 - yes, a 10....not sure I’ve ever given a 10 before.  The best CB performance I've seen from a City player since returning to watch in 13/14.  Faultless performance, covering across the whole of the back 4 with aplomb.  Stepping forward with the ball to start attacks is a big difference from Flint, but tonight he won all his headers too, and his interceptions were exemplary.  MOTM obviously.

Niklas Eliasson - 6.5 - for all the good things tonight on the ball, thought he left Hunt a bit exposed in the first half.  Couple of good shots in first half and set-pieces on the money.  Nice to see him go past Lichaj on the outside and dink a lovely cross to O’Dowda with his right foot.  Will keep his opponent guessing if he does this more often.

Sub: Marley Watkins - no rating - couple of nice touches and unlucky not to roll Diedhiou in late on...great cut out by their CB.

Jamie Paterson - 6 - better tonight, especially second half.  Started slowly, running into tackles half-heartedly, but change in set up to 4141/433 got him more involved and although end product not quite there, I saw a semblance of a return to form to justify his selection.

Sub: Matty Taylor - no rating - just looks a totally different player to the one of last season (bar the odd flash).  Looks an intelligent player, and I do think Diedhiou comes more to life with Matty making runs off of him.  Seem to tow each other around on a piece of elastic that works.  Good interplay for the goal.  Would like to see him and Fam start on Saturday v Stoke.

Marlon Pack - 6.5 - thought he dictated the play in the second half and knowing that Webster can play it forward too, meant stifling Pack didn’t mean stifling City.  When we switched to 1 up top, with Marlon holding, it was more what he did off the ball than on it that caught my eye.  Still played some nice passes.

Josh Brownhill - 7 - thought he was everywhere first half, if not a bit quieter second half.  Unlucky to hit the post too.  Some good movement without getting the ball allowed us to get Eliasson and Hunt into good crossing positions.

Andreas Weimann - 5 - worked hard but looked half a yard off the pace and probably in need of a rest.  Great movement, but touch often without balance.

Sub: Callum O’Dowda - no rating - tried to drive us forward and showed good energy and won some headers too.  Ball too often seems just out of full control and although it means he commits players, he also loses possession.

Famara Diedhiou - 5 (0-45) 7 (46-97) - 6 overall - more interested in his barker than the ball first half although got himself into some good positions and unlucky to not see the ball fall kindly for him.  Second half, much different, seemed to be a bit of the old-Fam back.  Started to compete for headers, and win them.  When Taylor came on, looked even better.  Scored the winner, not an easy header, but took it well.  Hopefully a kick-start.

Finally:

Lee Johnson - nice to see him react in-game to Hull’s set-up, by switching Weimann wide-left, and playing Brownhill and Paterson in front of Pack, which from about 30 minutes onwards saw us improve and overall go on to deserve the win.  No double sub tonight either....he must be listening!!! 

Surprised by selections tonight, Kalas straight back in, brave decision, seeing how well Kelly played Saturday.  Diedhiou for Taylor....although it needed both of them to be on to get the winner.

A good result, and enjoyable game.

What did the ref drink at h-t?  He made some atrocious decisions, along with the Lansdown Stand Lino.

[And Its Smith]

Good win that apart from 2 x 10 min spells.
Max 8
Hunt 6
Kalas 7
Webster 9
Dasilva 7
Pack 6
Brownhill 8
Elliason 6
Pato 6
Diedhiou 6
Weimann 5
Subs
Watkins 5
COD 7

We often see games similar @davefevs and tonight no different.