Surprised how strong Hull looked today, for a friendly I mean

They are probably trying to get up to speed for their Europa League outings but that was not far off a Premier League first team today, and we gave them a VERY good game. It's a bit hard at the moment thinking that we are two leagues adrift of a team that we have more often than not beaten, but that's the way things are for now.

This was no stroll in the sunshine for them, that's for sure. There were some rough tackles going in and when Nana went sprinting down the left in the first half only to be checked by a cynical tackle that deserved a red card (not even a yellow one was shown) then that, for me, underlined how much Hull were on the back foot at that moment. The lad has terrific pace and who knows how far he would have gone with it, but it was encouraging to see him and Jennings complementing each other. Both are similar in build with great tree trunk thighs so they shouldn't be knocked off the ball easily.

There was a fantastic double spin near the ESL touchline, second half, reminiscent of COG in fact. Jennings just came out with the ball when he had no right to and (I think it was Quinn) the Hull player who was made to look stupid didn't like it at all! Teddy out of the cot moment, definitely.

There was skill and confidence running right through that side today, even though there were moments when you thought "gaaargghhh, again" when we played the ball from man to man for no apparent reason. Not often, just enough to be noticeable though. Nobody expects us to move the ball like Germany but, if you think about it, their goal came from exactly that. Smith, who was otherwise good, checked back on the half way line just like Kennedy does (he must be his mentor!) and started looking backwards instead of going forwards with the ball. It ended up back in our six yard box and the keeper did something stupid for the SECOND time in the match but didn't get away with it this time.

Luckily their keeper had a mad moment as well but what a cool finish from Hourihane. I was mightily impressed by both him and Bailey who both look proper midfielders. I know it's not the season yet but you have to be happy if you were there today. A very good performance against a strong Hull side who looked like they wanted to win. Hope we get more of the same on Tuesday and next Saturday, then it is just the simple task of turning over Crawley. What could be simpler??

 

Hopefully we won't fall apart once there's points to be won! I'm definitely feeling confident after today though, keeping a pretty much full strength team from two leagues above to a draw is impressive, especially considering the state of football at the minute and how we can no longer compete in the Championship financially. 1 week and 6 days until kick off and for once I can't wait!

 

I don't understand why people think the ball has to go forwards every time we get it. Sometimes there's nothing on and you have to come backwards. Keeping possession tires the opposition out and allows you to look for a more promising opening than a boot down the line.

 

Spot on!

 

Not suggesting it has to go forward every time. I agree that keeping possession is best but doing what we did for their goal was very sloppy. No one wanted to take responsibility and the keeper was really dozy going for the ball. Shane Long is a good striker but any forward half awake would have scored that one.

Smith is young And he will get better as he goes on.