First off, sorry guys for being a bit slow with this week’s blog. A mixture of depression over a woeful performance at Fulham, and work meant I’ve struggled to get half an hour to collect my thoughts. At least writing it this late in the week gives me a chance to look forward to a huge game at the weekend against Portsmouth, because let’s face it – there was very little to talk about regarding Monday night’s game.

I feel sorry for those of you who witnessed your first Hull City game of the season on Monday. That really wasn’t reminiscent of how City have played for most of the season. While we’ve been disappointing overall, the Tigers hadn’t yet sunk to the depths on the game at Craven Cottage, which saw a horribly negative City side go through the motions without even having a shot on target. It was a truly depressing performance, reminiscent of poor displays away to West Ham, Wigan and Everton last season, where the hosts were allowed to stroll to an easy victory without really breaking a sweat.

It’s hard to say why that was. The team was largely the same as the game against Wigan a fortnight ago, which the Tigers won well with a spirited performance. And that’s what was missing – spirit. It’s too easy to go on about systems, formations and tactics. If the attitude isn’t there, City have no chance as this level (as I have said before). It could be argued that City’s defence and midfielders sat behind the ball too much, and humped long passes to Vennegoor of Hesselink whenever they got possession, or didn’t pass the ball well enough on the floor and gave the ball away.

Both are true, but the real problem was City weren’t quite at that extra 5 per cent commitment they need at this level. Significantly in my view, Nick Barmby was out injured, and therefore there were no leaders in the team. Even George Boateng would have added some steel and someone for the other players to feed off. Barmby and Boateng are not among the more effective members of the squad, but their influence on others, and ability to raise the performance of those around them is invaluable to Phil Brown. He needs that voice on the field.

The only positive for the Tigers boss was the return to first team action of Jimmy Bullard. The cheeky playmaker has a lot of responsibility to lead the team over the coming weeks. It was noticeable as soon as he came on at the hour mark; the City players gave him the ball at every opportunity. He will look to take on almost a quarterback role – dropping back to pick out runners with through passes from deep in the midfield.

Phil Brown really needs to reconsider his tactics on the road. City will not win any games away from home this season if he continues to set his side up in such a negative fashion. We’re not good enough to sit back and defend for 90 minutes and hope to nick a goal. We have a to carry a threat and pressure teams when they have the ball. On Monday, City allowed Fulham to have time on the ball and Roy Hodgson’s side passed their way through the Tigers without getting out of second gear.

City’s home form this season has been pretty good. Victories against Bolton and Wigan have garnered a reasonable points total for this stage of the season. As a man under pressure, Phil Brown needs a similar result on Saturday against Portsmouth to remove more heat from his shoulders. He needs a cheerleader back in the team, to rouse the side into a high tempo display similar to the Wigan game.

Bullard should certainly add something to the Tigers’ play at home. City have been crying out for quality in midfield when they have more of the ball, and Bullard should hopefully bring that to the table in his home debut.

Pompey will present a tough test. Paul Hart has done a heroic job there in extremely troubled circumstances, and has eventually assembled a physical, robust side, who have now started to pick up results. They still look set to finish in the lower reaches of the division, but are no longer the pushovers they appeared to be in their turbulent early season. City need to play with pace and vigour, and not be afraid to pass the ball around. If they can do that, they can easily banish the memory of Craven Cottage with a much needed victory.

How do you think the game will go, or do you have any questions for me? Get in touch.

Cheers
TC