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2009-10 Football Thread – The Second Half

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ESPN has been struggling with how to deal with soccer for years. Maybe they've finally given up trying to Americanize the game and decided to just let us watch it the way everyone else does.

It's not like they have a NASCAR guy do Formula One broadcasts (thank GOD), so why did they think a baseball guy could do the World Cup? Thank you ESPN for finally figuring it out - though it took long enough. :rolleyes:
 
Lord Blackadder said:
ESPN has been struggling with how to deal with soccer for years. Maybe they've finally given up trying to Americanize the game and decided to just let us watch it the way everyone else does.

It's not like they have a NASCAR guy do Formula One broadcasts (thank GOD), so why did they think a baseball guy could do the World Cup? Thank you ESPN for finally figuring it out - though it took long enough. :rolleyes:
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agreed on the footy end.

but i think the NASCAR FOX guys(Waltrip, etc etc) would make F1 more accessible and do a better job than what we have been getting. I know they'd make it more exciting.
 
Silencio said:
Boaz Myhill, you just broke my heart. :(
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Pah – how do you think I feel?! Late goals (right at the end of either half) continue to haunt us.

Still, two positives I suppose we can take from yesterday. Firstly, as gauchogolfer alludes to there are better teams than us who will fair far worse against Arsenal – and let's not forget that we held them off for half the game with a player less. Secondly, there was the opportunity for a couple of hours worth of pre-match pintage with the inestimable XIII. Hurrah!

Of immediate concern is the severity of Zayatte's injury. The own-goal gifting Guinean left the pitch on a stretcher and the stadium on crutches, and will be assessed in the next 48 hours when the swelling subsides.

Funnily enough, XIII and I were discussing our injury record since coming into the Premier League prior to the match, and the fact that we seem to be picking up more bad injuries more frequently in the top flight than we did in the lower divisions – really, you would have thought the opposite would be more likely. It looks like Zayette is going to be added to that list now, meaning that Brown now has some tricky choices for his central defensive pairing. He could move one of McShane or (more likely) Kilbane in to fill the gap, if not then our two remaining dedicated centre backs are Mouyokolo and Cooper – 23 and 18 respectively. Not really the level of experience you want for such an important run of games.

Just as an aside, it was disappointing to see a number of the away support jeering and gesturing at Zayatte as he was carried off. Given their history of bad injuries over recent years you would have hoped for a bit more class displayed, certainly I'm sure those barracking Zayatte would have (quite rightly) condemned the section of the Stoke City support who behaved in a similar fashion to Aaron Ramsey recently. It must be said that the majority of the Arsenal contingent joined the home support in applauding him off, but it annoys me – irrespective of the player in question or the teams involved – when you see supporters react in a negative fashion to a player as he's carried off.

Anyway, I killed my throat yesterday. I'm a bit croaky this morning. :eek:

pivo6 said:
And the 11 points for my fantasy team. Oh wait... wrong thread. :)
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Hmm. Can I issue points deductions? :p
 
my sides so far:
Sheffield Wednesday 21st: 10-8-18 D-
Tottenham 4th: 15-7-7 A
Athletic Bilbao 7th: 12-5-9 A-
Dumbarton 6th: 9-4-12 B+


Spurs and the Lions may have something to play for... Wednesday simply playing to avoid relegation. Sons holding their own in their first season in Div2...
 
Jaffa Cake said:
Pah – how do you think I feel?! Late goals (right at the end of either half) continue to haunt us.

Still, two positives I suppose we can take from yesterday. Firstly, as gauchogolfer alludes to there are better teams than us who will fair far worse against Arsenal – and let's not forget that we held them off for half the game with a player less. Secondly, there was the opportunity for a couple of hours worth of pre-match pintage with the inestimable XIII. Hurrah!

Of immediate concern is the severity of Zayatte's injury. The own-goal gifting Guinean left the pitch on a stretcher and the stadium on crutches, and will be assessed in the next 48 hours when the swelling subsides.

Funnily enough, XIII and I were discussing our injury record since coming into the Premier League prior to the match, and the fact that we seem to be picking up more bad injuries more frequently in the top flight than we did in the lower divisions – really, you would have thought the opposite would be more likely. It looks like Zayette is going to be added to that list now, meaning that Brown now has some tricky choices for his central defensive pairing. He could move one of McShane or (more likely) Kilbane in to fill the gap, if not then our two remaining dedicated centre backs are Mouyokolo and Cooper – 23 and 18 respectively. Not really the level of experience you want for such an important run of games.

Just as an aside, it was disappointing to see a number of the away support jeering and gesturing at Zayatte as he was carried off. Given their history of bad injuries over recent years you would have hoped for a bit more class displayed, certainly I'm sure those barracking Zayatte would have (quite rightly) condemned the section of the Stoke City support who behaved in a similar fashion to Aaron Ramsey recently. It must be said that the majority of the Arsenal contingent joined the home support in applauding him off, but it annoys me – irrespective of the player in question or the teams involved – when you see supporters react in a negative fashion to a player as he's carried off.

Anyway, I killed my throat yesterday. I'm a bit croaky this morning. :eek:

Hmm. Can I issue points deductions? :p
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I killed my throat too! Only got back to Birmingham at quarter to midnight, so quite a mission there and back, but a thoroughly enjoyable day out, thank you Jaffa! In the first half I was frustrated by some of the challenges and tactics Hull used.. lots of cynical little kicks, and then a horrible knee kick stamp on Sagna, which should have been a straight red, not just a second yellow. Also quite how Bendtner got booked for being poked in the eye I'm not sure. Second half Hull worked extremely hard, and I was impressed. I didn't see the goal coming to be honest! But these things balance out, and you need some luck.. the penalty obviously shouldn't have been given for offside (no debate about that), but we got a 93rd minute winner. Swings and roundabouts. Very nice to meet you Jaffa and if only for another fun away day in Hull, I hope you stay up!
 
Damn, I was really hoping City would choke and lose today, it took a world class strike by Johnson to rob Sunderland of a victory. Gordon had a huge game. Well, any time City drop points is good for Liverpool supporters like myself. Even if it means cheering on Sunderland a bit...

Hull City kept it close against an Arsenal side that should arguably have won more comfortably considering the numerical advantage. I suppose this will swell Bendtner's already voluminous confidence...:D
 
XIII said:
...a thoroughly enjoyable day out, thank you Jaffa!
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A pleasure, as I say good to finally meet up after our years of posting our inane rantings here. :D

XIII said:
In the first half I was frustrated by some of the challenges and tactics Hull used...
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So far as our general approach to the game goes, we're often accused of being a physical side along with the likes of Stoke City but I really don't think that's the case. Certainly, having watched us being bullied by the Potters repeatedly for the past few seasons we can't compete in that regard. However, one thing we do do is niggle and irritate opponents, and in particular we've got a couple of players in Fagan and Hunt who are masters in this regard. If Stoke are the bullies of the Premier League playground, we're the gobby little kid who winds everyone up before being on the receiving end of a Chinese rope burn. We won't nick your dinner money, though.

XIII said:
...a horrible knee kick stamp on Sagna, which should have been a straight red, not just a second yellow.
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Boateng's sending off was fully warranted, although I'd suggest the broad smirk that Mr Marriner (West Midlands) displayed as he dismissed him wasn't, as was the applause the Dutchman received as he left the pitch.

On the other costly challenge of the match, there wasn't a great deal wrong with Campbell's tackle on Zayatte, it was hard and looked unpleasant but ultimately the ball was won. It was more bad fortune than anything that the injury resulted, but it's a timely reminder that a physical approach to tackles doesn't necessarily mean a dirty one – although injuries can result none the less, and Zayatte's absence may prove costly for us yet.

We'll be okay if we can apply the recent performances against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in our next run of games against the lower ranked teams in the division. However, we're under no illusions that that's not going to happen. That's not the Hull City way. :eek:

EDIT: Who had David Beckham in the England World Cup Injury Sweepstake? It looks like he's ruptured his Achilles Tendon playing for Milan tonight. Ouch.
 
When England's pace merchants come up against world class defenders who don't let them inside and block attempts from the outside, who are the candidates for being able to deliver a cross from in front of the defenders that is as effective as one from behind them?

Cheers,
OW
 
...Only if Bobby Zamora gets hurt...;)

EDIT: Or Darren Bent? That of course is assuming that Capello fills Beckham's slot with a striker rather than a midfielder. In which case you should be calling for Bullard's return to the national squad - unless Mr. Barmby beat him up to badly.... ;)
 
Am i the only who thinks Beckham should've just hung his boots after Madrid and focus on getting his wife to smile more or something?

*Shrug*
 
He's still a good player, and may even yet play again at a high level. I find his media persona to be insufferable, but he is that rare thing - an Englishman who plays outside England, in top divisions.

I want him to come stateside and be the player-manager for an MLS expansion team. He can hobble along for a few years taking free kicks and corners, and it will put "bums in seats".

I'd take Joe Cole in his place, If I were an Italian manager with stylish glasses.
 
Players on the right now that Beckham is out? I'd presume that it's Walcott, SWP and Aaron Lennon (assuming fit). No need to panic.
 
Rumour abounds...

Brown out?

EDIT: No maybe about it – the club website confirms it.

Hull City AFC confirms that Phil Brown has been relieved of his managerial duties at the club and has been placed on gardening leave with immediate effect. Brian Horton and Steve Parkin will take charge of first-team duties until further notice.

We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Phil for the major success achieved during a period of four seasons in charge at the club and wish him every success for the future. Promotion to the Premier League in 2008 and retention of our status on the last day of the 2009 season are unique events in the history of Hull City AFC and both were achieved under Phil's stewardship during a period which will never be forgotten by all connected with the club.
 
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