HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

“Ten points from fifteen for City, and it should be a job done, or is it?”

Sober analysis everywhere. One often comes across slightly over the top comments from a team’s supporters in the thick of an important run of games. Hull City fans are not doing this on any forum right now, and this shows how seriously they view this Championship run in.

“Zola is a worried man. His face showed nothing but tension during the Cardiff game on Saturday. Zola knows that they could be out of it by next Wednesday. Peterborough and Millwall away are next for the Hornets."

“Can Peterborough beat Watford on Saturday?”, “It's a big ask but they have picked up some unexpected results this season. Good luck to them anyway. I know we should be concentrating on our own thing but this game could be crucial. Peterborough 1-0 Watford fingers crossed!”.

Every small detail of both City’s and Watford’s run-in is being dissected on Humberside. This is an immensely important moment in the Tigers' history, and their supporters know it.

Steve Bruce

“Steve Bruce knows more about the game than any of us. I have complete faith in his ability to get the best out of what he has available”, “In Steve Bruce I trust. Football at professional level is a game of chess”.

“This squad would play in Azerbaijan on a Tuesday night at midnight and in goal if Bruce asked him. They believe in him and he knows how to treat pros”. Two managers who are well-loved by their teams supporters will shake hands on Saturday.

“Just who is fit?”

“This is just like the Memphis Belle. I hope we make it to the runway”, ”It’s a credit to our team that we are challenging for automatic with our injury problems”, “We are literally limping over the line”, “We have almost got a better side on the treatment table than on the pitch”.

Injuries to defenders Joe Dudgeon, Jack Hobbs, Paul McShane, Alex Bruce and forwards Sone Aluko and Matty Fryatt have forced Steve Bruce’s hand with tactics and team selections in recent months.

“All the walking wounded and players with knocks”. A long season playing high intensity football with a small squad has taken just as much of a toll on those players fit to play. There is a fear that Hull are running out of steam: “It was dire against Middlesbrough (on Saturday). The players were jaded.”

“What can you do with all the injuries being sustained on a weekly basis? A lot of it is down to pressure and nerves. They know they are so near now, and it is getting to them”, “A fair few of them are playing far more games this season than they have ever done before”.

“We seem to be getting no luck over players getting crocked or those coming back in time. With this in mind it has been an amazing effort to get this far. So tin helmets on, and bayonets fixed for one last push. This will truly be our greatest achievement to get automatic promotion”.

The Tactical Overview in One Sentence

Tigers are proud of the free-flowing football played in City’s 3-5-2 formation this year, but they are anxious about the impact of weariness and injuries on their small squad over the next five critical games, and they feel that they would be over the line by now had they been more potent up front.

The Right Formation

“As long as we don’t lose another central defender, we’ll be okay”. This comment came ahead of Saturday’s game when central defender and former Blue Alex Bruce hobbled off, out for the season, with a torn calf muscle. With Bruce’s injury, the Tigers were down to two recognised centre-backs at a stroke.

Putting it simply, if the Tigers play their normal 3-5-2 formation, someone will have to improvise as a central defender. They can switch to 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1, sacrificing fluidity, but this means that someone will have to improvise on one of the flanks, most probably the left.

“We would never have won on Saturday if we hadn’t gone 4-4-2. It needed changing, and wouldn’t have happened under normal circumstances”. This change after Bruce’s injury brought greater stability in what was a hard fought victory. “With only two fit centre-backs, it looks like we will be playing 4-4-2 until Jack Hobbs returns from injury”.

“It’s a shame as our next two away games at Ipswich and Wolves are nicely set up for our free flowing 3-5-2. They have proper pitches and neither could handle our formation first time around”.

Goalkeeper and Central Defence

“David Stockdale had his best game for us today [against Middlesbrough]”. The former Ipswich loanee keeper is now on loan from Fulham until the end of the season. “It’s crucial he stays fit for us”, “He makes fantastic reaction saves. He punched when he should punch, and caught when he should catch. He is nice and vocal too”.

Former Hammer Abdoulaye Faye was the unanimous Man of the Match in the Tigers 1-0 victory on Saturday. The 32-year old Senegalese international was “a joy to watch”, “a rock”, ”colossal” and “a beast” playing as a centre-back.

“I’ve never seen a standing ovation at the announcement of MOTM like that before. You could see he appreciated it”, “Steve Bruce said that Faye would have headed the stand if you’d thrown that at him”, “Good job he didn’t. He would have damaged the stand”.

“If we don’t go up, I’m certain he’ll be off”. Manchester United youth product James Chester “has the respect of every City fan”, “He was first class as usual - typical of his usual high standards” on Saturday. “He’s comfy on the ball, always uses it well, and is defensively sound”.

Central Midfield

“Stephen Quinn never stopped working for the team. He ran his bollocks off”. The 27-year-old former Blade was “all over the bloody place” and was constantly praised for his relentless energy. He could play as a left-sided midfielder if a switch to 4-4-2 is required.

“Quininho was “all over the shop, defending, attacking, pushing City forward and bringing players into the game. He works for the shirt”.

“Meyler will be back for Ipswich. He’s a high energy player who gets in the box”. Ex-Sunderland man David Meyler adds an attacking dimension to midfield . Some Tigers are nervous of the Republic of Ireland International: “Unless Meyler’s told to be cautious with his bursts forward and to focus on helping his defence out a bit, it won’t happen.”

Northern Ireland International Corry Evans “gains us so much possession and space, allowing us to pass it around the back three or four and midfield, rather than give the ball away. He comes up with important tackles and clearances”. The 22-year-old is highly regarded for his defensive qualities.

“What has happened to Robert Koren this season? Age? Desire? He can’t even be bothered to shoot. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the team. His attitude stinks”. The former Baggie and Slovenian international has been hammered for his lethargic and slipshod performances.

“Robert Koren – don’t even ask me what I think of you. I might not be able to give you answer you want me to”. The 32-year-old is “completely lacking in energy and quality on the ball”.

“Tom Cairney is only the answer if the question is ‘who was Bradford City’s Player of the Year in 2015?’”. Tigers believe that the former Leeds United trainee is out of his depth. “He’s good at picking the ball up from the back three and keeping it ticking over. I’m not so sure about his ability charging forwards, in the air and having midfielders running at him”.

“Cairney’s huge upside is that his passing is excellent and his set pieces are still probably the best in the club. His weaknesses, which are a lack of work ethic, and willingness to do the dirty work off the ball simply haven’t been addressed”.

On the Flanks

“An excellent player with a lot of heart, who happens to be the one to make have made way for our system this year”. The former ITFC loanee Liam Rosenior has been sacrificed when playing with wing-backs, despite turning in quality energetic performances. “Rosie looked solid”, “You could see he wanted to play so badly”, “He was hungry and potent going forward”.

“It’s not too much of a problem if we go to four at the back, because Rosie’s a good right back, and Elmohamady doesn’t have to defend”, “We have pace to burn on the right with Rosie and Elmo both there”. Twenty-five-year-old Ahmed Elmohamady has been playing as a right wing-back in the five-man midfield this season.

“Elmo didn’t have a great game because he had a slight knock (on Saturday)”, “I was shocked he hadn’t been subbed at one point”, “Elmo looked f***ed and got pushed all the way back to the halfway line. He didn’t seem to be able to raise a gallop”.

Former Manchester United player and Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady can play either as a full-back, wing-back or midfielder on the left flank. “He’s coming on well. On Saturday, he was his usual dangerous attack-minded self, while not forgetting his defensive duties”, “When Quinn came on, Brady came alive (on Saturday)”.

“Brady has pace, good moves and strikes the ball well”. He scored the winner from a freekick on Saturday. “If the Middlesbrough midfielder [and former Blue] Grant Leadbitter had stayed ten yards back, that gap wouldn’t have been there for Brady to squeeze it through”.

“Where do we play Fahti? He has looked really fast, won most headers, directed them towards our players and generally looked good”, “Can’t see why Fahti hasn’t been given more of a chance. He looked very composed and tidy on the ball, all of the things Koren hasn’t been this season”. The Egypt International is a talented fringe player, but Hull fans are unsure where to play him.

Strikers

“We all have seen what has affected City for virtually the last three years – our inability to score. I can’t see us fixing that overnight”, “With the possession we get, we should be offering more of a goal threat”. Hull are joint-eighth in goals scored this season, despite being second in the table. They have scored two fewer than relegation threatened Peterborough.

Arsenal academy graduate Jay Simpson’s has scored once in 25 games. “On the rare occasion he does get the ball on target, he has the frustrating knack of mis-hitting the bloody ball because his balance is all awry”, “It’s bizarre how a decent footballer can sometimes struggle to score”.

“I’m still trying to work out how he missed that open goal against Boro”, “You and 18,000 others”, “When is his next goal coming. September? Christmas?”

“Barmby wanted to play him as an attacking midfielder, but he wasn’t up for it, and they ended up falling out over it”, “Simpson’s value has perhaps been more evident in hard-fought away games than our sweeping performances”.

“Boyd can’t get them all on his own. Are we saying that it doesn’t matter if Simmo doesn’t score as Boyd will?”. George Boyd has become a hit since he joined Hull on loan from Peterborough in January, after controversially failing an eye test for Forest: “Put Boyd in front and he will score goals for us.”

German Nick Proschwitz is viewed as a useful squad player and a foil to George Boyd, but not quite good enough, despite his brace of goals against us earlier this season: “He's now made 27 appearances for us and apart from the Ipswich game and a good goal against League One opposition, I think he's looked really poor. Not only does he look like he's not up to the job, but he now looks like he's given up on the job too.”

“I've seen under-12s who can get higher for headers than this six foot-plusser. I don't honestly feel he has a lot to offer. Hope I am wrong”, “He's just not good enough at this level and at 26 he is hardly going to get better. Stick him in an attack minded League Two side with some good wingers and I'm sure he'd net 20 a season”.

There is a slim chance that former Fox Matty Fryatt may be back from an Achilles' injury sustained at the start of the season. Some Tigers are unsure. “If any anyone has had the chance to go to the training ground, you’d see he’s prancing around as if he’s walking on egg shells”, “He’s not sure if he’s ready”.

“A flash in the pan”, Al Ahly loanee Gedo “seems to have run dry of goals after such an impressive start”. The Egyptian International “was awful last week” and “didn’t look with it at Watford. Maybe we’re asking too much of him”.

Hull Fans' Views on ITFC and the Game

There has been a good news-bad news riff taking place on Tigers websites this week when discussing Saturday’s game. “The good thing about Ipswich is the fact that they are six points from the drop and 14th [now 15th]. They think they are safe and have less to play for”, “Six points clear is not safe, and they will know it”.

“It isn’t safe, but when you are above ten teams with five games left it isn’t far from safe. They will not think for one moment that they are going down”, “Hang on. Ipswich have gained exactly the same number of points in their last twelve games as we have, and in that time they have only conceded four goals. I think that this is the hardest of our last five games”.

This was also this interesting exchange: “Ipswich are in some form at the moment, something like eight clean sheets in the last 11, so we need all the potency we can get our hands on especially as we're averaging less than a goal a game since Birmingham (in early March)”.

“According to two of our lot [at work] who are Ipswich fans they're still not playing well - sh*t was the actual description - but they somehow are winning games. Actually that doesn't make me feel any better at all thinking about it!”

“McCarthy is working his magic again. This guy is a footballing genius in my mind”, “The guy’s record speaks for itself. I was desperate for him to manage us, but I’m glad we’ve got Brucey”. Our manager was highly praised: “Ipswich are much improved under Mick McCarthy, and it is never an easy pace to get a win.”

Hull City Fans' Views on a Successful Season

“If you had jetted in from Mars and the first thing you read about City was on the message boards, you would be forgiven for thinking we were a load of sh*t and hanging around the relegation places”, “The whole city should be buzzing to the max! Get your heads straight lads!”

“That’s the Hull psyche. Second with six games left and people are moaning like f***. I have supported City for 41 years and we have the best manager and side in my time. Thirty years ago in the dark days of Division Four, and the dark, dark days of Dolan, we’d have cut our cocks off for a team like this one. Enjoy this team play because if we don’t go up, you won’t see them in a City shirt again”.

Websites

The best websites are not606.com, footymad.net and the quieter and considered hullcityindependent.net.

AbujaBlue added 11:33 - Apr 11 Thanks as usual for all the work you put into this, Harry. Very interesting read as always!
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Pessimistic added 12:20 - Apr 11 Nice one Harry. It was a good read as always.
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BiGDonnie added 13:30 - Apr 11 Top work.
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Edmunds5 added 14:26 - Apr 11 Great work again Harry, really intrigued by this game. They have alot of quality but we've been very solid. Just worry because Derby on paper did lack a bit of cutting edge and Hull will be a bigger proposition with variation and players who can score from all over the pitch. This a real tough game but so was Leicester so was Bolton, I think like most of our fans I don't really fear anyone now. The mind-set has changed from pessimism to optomism or even realism because I feel we are capable of winning any game regardless of the strength of the opposition.

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AlexanderFields added 14:47 - Apr 11 Many thanks, Harry. A good read. Must have involved a lot of hard work.
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bgexile added 15:11 - Apr 11 Thanks as ever Harry.
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BillBlue added 15:53 - Apr 11 Thanks Harry, another good read.
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HarryfromBath added 16:17 - Apr 11 Many thanks everyone for your kind comments - they are greatly appreciated. Edmunds5, I agree that this is a really hard game to read. Hull are solid at the back whether they play with two or three central defenders. They are also very busy and competitive in the heart of midfield. They have El Mohamady and Brady on the flanks and they can whip crosses in, but then we are solid at the back right now. My reading of the game is that if Bruce plays with four at the back, there is greater likelihood that we will cancel each other out, and it will be like Bolton or Leicester. If he tries three at the back, they have more of a goal threat. However, they may then leave a slightly greater weakness at the heart of their defence, and place too great a demand on El Mohamady on their right. This is a hard game to read. It has all the makings of a very tight game, and it will be a terrific achievement to come away with all three points.

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TonythePony added 16:22 - Apr 11 Good work Harry. I always enjoy reading your briefing notes. Keep them coming. Sounds like the Hull fans are nervous about Town. My worry is that we missed out on George Boyd and come 5pm Saturday we may be regretting it. It is almost certain that he will score. Let's hope we score one more than they do :o)
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DanLyles added 14:45 - Apr 12 I doubt many other fanzines are lucky enough to have such detailed analysis on their opponents tactics/players/fan opnion etc. each week. Keep it coming.
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HarryfromBath added 11:54 - Apr 13 Many thanks, Tony and Dan, for your comments. They are hugely welcomed. I agree that they are nervous about playing us, but Hull have one of the strongest and most threatening midfields in this division. How we contain them will be a huge measure of the progress we have made under Mick. I am hoping for the best today, but today's game won't be as straightforward as games have been in recent weeks.

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