Hull City take on Coventry tomorrow in their latest Championship match as they battle for survival. Following an impressive display against the league leaders Birmingham City, the team must know that the huge travelling support wil expect nothing less than the same commitment and performance we saw last week. Can the team achieve this or will we return to the inconsistent Tigers we have unfortunately got so used to?
Vital Quotes:
Brown speaks about the away trip to Coventry:
‘We know we’re capable of travelling and getting wins and we know we’re capable of travelling and performing as well as we did at places like Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace,’ said Brown.
‘We need an attitude towards keeping a clean sheet. We need an attitude towards getting men behind the ball when we lose it and we need the attitude towards creativity when we’ve got the ball.
‘If we get those things right on Saturday, we will cause Coventry problems.’
Brown speaking on Dowie’s arrival:
‘Maybe the attitude of Coventry will be a bit different because they have a new manager, but if it is we have got to match that.
‘People talk about ‘honeymoon periods’ and things like that when a new manager comes into a club, but I’m not a believer in that.
‘I think results that happen when a new man comes in just show exactly what you are capable of.
‘If you can maintain that throughout the season then that is what you’re capable of achieving as well.
‘Iain Dowie is a strong character and a strong manager. He expects his teams to get into the faces of the opposition and it will be a difficult game.
‘If we have the same mentality and approach that we had last Saturday, then it will be the best team that wins on the day, put it that way.
‘I’ll be happy with the performance if we do what we did against Birmingham.’
Info from the Official Website
Coventry City Team News:
Andrew Whing, striker Kevin Kyle and defender Robert Page are all suspended for this fixture.
David McNamee is also absent after sustaining torn hamstring. Midfielder Don Hutchinson also faces six to eight weeks on the sidelines after learning the extent of his injury.
City striker Leon McKenzie is expected to return to the team after missing last week’s game against Norwich City due to contractual agreements.
Player to watch: Jay Tabb
The former Brentford winger is a tricky customer that must be marked closely. His first goal came last week during the one all draw with Norwich City and Tabb will be wanting to add to his tally for the season.
Hull City Team News:
Stephen McPhee has been dealt a new injury blow as he is expected to face a further three weeks on the sidelines.
Andy Dawson is expected to come back into contention, meaning Danny Coles may drop to the bench whilst Nick Barmby is also hopeful of being involved in the squad.
Jon Parkin is expected to remain on the bench after Dean Windass took his chance up-front by scoring twice against Birmingham City.
Player to watch: Ray Parlour
The former England and Arsenal midfielder showed us what he can do if we give him the football against Birmingham. Providing we can do the same ago, the forwards should be able to benefit from his superior range of passing.
Match Facts & Stats
Provided by Rabid Rob:
Hull City – Coventry City
All matches:
Played: 36
Won: 15
Drawn: 7
Lost: 14
Goals For: 49
Goals Against: 47
Matches at Coventry:
Played: 19
Won: 7
Drawn: 3
Lost: 9
Goals For: 20
Goals Against: 29
Best result (at Coventry)
08/09/1951
Coventry City 1 HCFC 4
Moore, Harrison, Gerrie, Revie.
Attn: 25,328
Worst result (at Coventry)
04/02/1961
Coventry City 4 HCFC 0
Attn: 11,160
Ref Watch:
S J Tanner
Full referee article available here.
Match Prediction:
The Tigers need the points to build a gap between themselves and the drop zone whilst Coventry need the points to continue moving away from the relegation places.
With new manager Iain Dowie in charge, the Coventry players will be expected to raise their game and the Tigers must meet this if they are to record a victory. Providing they play like they did against Birmingham City, the travelling support can have no complaints about the game.
Vital Hull prediction: 2-1 Hull City
Next Fixtures:
Coca-Cola Championship:
06.03.2007: Hull City v Ipswich Town (7.45 p.m)
2-0 city, we have to to stay up, well to be honest 3 points would do me fine thank you!
We played them a while back – 1-1 but should have walked away with it.I thought they were pretty bad but now with a new manager I think you will be in for a harder game.Too difficult to call this one but if I had to would say 2-1 to the sky blues.Sorry for that.
same as last week …maximum effort by all concerned………