City Suffer First Defeat

Hull City’s first home pre-season game gave the fans a chance to see the new signings and they should been impressed with what they saw. City played very well with most players impressing but two errors meant the fans went home having watched their team lose.

City started with a strong eleven. Dean Marney and Michael Turner both made home debuts and both will have impressed the City faithful. Craig Fagan was used on the right wing, a role he seems happier to play in under Phil Parkinson than he ever did under Peter Taylor.

The most noticeable action of the night was City wanting to attack. No longer did the team sit back. The defence was pushed up, Marney linked up with Welsh very well and both full-backs and wingers tried to get forward at every opportunity – particularly Andy Dawson.

John Welsh had the first opportunity but sliced his effort wide before Stuart Elliott hit a cross that almost snuck in under the bar. Elliott was back to running at the opposition full-back. Although he may not have beaten his man, it was good to see him running with the ball, especially when Dawson supported with overlapping runs.

Aston Villa struggled to keep hold of Dean Marney who was linking up very well with John Welsh. Welsh sat deeper allowing Marney to push forward and support the strikers. His set-up to Duffy was only defended with a last minute tackle by Gary Cahill.

Luke Moore went close for Aston Villa before a succession of corners eventually lead to a chance for Craig Fagan. Hanging back on the far post, the ball broke to the winger but his powerful shot struck a Villa defender as it looked destined for the net – I’d be suprised if he knew anything about it! Minutes later Villa took the lead.

Luke Moore played a ball through the defence before being fouled by Turner. The referee, who was poor all night, allowed advantage but after hesitant goalkeeping from Myhill, Steven Davis had a simple task of slotting the ball to Myhill’s right.

City didn`t deserve to be behind and they had though they had equalised only to see Burgess’ tap in at the far post disallowed – a decision that was correct. A minute before that, Stuart Elliott shot powerfully at goal but Stuart Taylor stood tall as the ball rebounded off his chest for a corner-kick.

Both teams had chances as we went towards the interval. Craig Fagan had impressed as he tormented Wilfred Bouma and Dean Marney looked like the attacking midfielder fans had been hoping for years.

Half Time: Hull City 0 -1 Aston Villa

City started well but throughout the game, when City forced a corner, the delivery was poor and the ball was easily cleared. Ben Burgess was soon replaced by Billy Paynter after a struggling sixty minutes for the big striker. Burgess really needs to make a move out on loan now – he has no chance in the Championship.

Dawson was supporting down the left brilliantly and his cross forced a corner. Marney’s delivery found Turner but as his header looked destined for the top corner, on outstretched hand from Taylor tipped the effort onto the bar before Elliott blasted his shot over the bar from close range.

Aston Villa weren’t creating much and Parkinson brought on Lynch for Collins as Thelwell moved to centre-back. Rumors have it that Sam Collins may have picked up a slight knock?

City tried until the end but after a loose pass from Thelwell sent Craig Gardner through on goal, Aston Villa scored a second to secure the victory. All in all it was a very good performance from the City team. Let’s hope for more of the same against AS Nancy but with a better score line this time.

Player Ratings

Bo Myhill – 6
At fault for the first goal but didn’t really have much to do. Must improve on his kicking…now!

Alton Thelwell – 6
Did well at right-back but not as well when replacing Collins in the centre. His poor pass lead to the second goal.

Andy Dawson – 8
Very good. Dawson looked a different player as he constantly got forward to support the attacks. Let’s hope for more of the same.

Michael Turner – 8
The first glimpse of the tall defender and he looks a good replacement for Cort. Strong in the air and was unlucky not to score an equaliser. Also confident with the ball at his feet.

Sam Collins – 7
A steady performance but if he has an injury then that must be a worry for Parkinson. If everyone was fully fit, Collins would only be a back-up. Hopefully Delaney will partner Turner in the opening fixture.

Craig Fagan – 8
Great performance from a man who now seems happy to play on the wing. He has the skill and pace to play there but his crossing isn’t always the best.

Stuart Elliott – 7
Got forward well and was unlucky not to score. Nice to see him running at the opposition again. Linked up well with Andy Dawson down the left.

John Welsh – 8
Sat slightly deeper in midfield. Neat passing and broke up play well with great diving challenges. Very impressive link up play with Marney.

Dean Marney – 8
A great way to introduce yourself to the City faithful. A strong performance – hopefully he can carry this into the start of the season.

Ben Burgess – 5
Not good enough and isn’t Championship quality at the moment. He isn’t fit enough so a loan spell really is the only option for him at the moment.

Daryl Duffy – 6
A steady performance but nothing spectacular. A few efforts that flashed wide of goal but needs to improve.

Billy Paynter – 6
Did well but didn’t change the course of the match after replacing Burgess.

Mark Lynch – 6
Looked good at right-back and tried to get forward to support the attack.
Stuart Green and Keith Andrews didn’t have enough time to impact the game.

Manager Rating
Things are starting to look good and although we lost, the performance was very encouraging. He has transformed a team that looked very defensive into one that is not frightened to attack another team.