Same Faces, Same Result

Having finished off last season with a home defeat to Plymouth Argyle, the City faithfull were hoping for a different outcome yesterday when the 2007/2008 Championship season kicked off at the K.C Stadium, with our friends from Devon providing the opposition yet again. Unfortunately the outcome was the same with Argyle taking the points thanks to a 3-2 win.

A disapointing crowd of just over 16600 where slightly bemused when the team line up was announced and last years star defender Michael Turner had been relegated to a place on the bench in favour of Danny Coles, who, it has to be said, is probably the worst defender at the club. New signings Richard Garcia and Bryan Hughes were both given starts in what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation or was it a 4-4-2 line up, to be honest i dont even think the manager or players knew where they were supposed to play.

Surprisingly City took the lead after just 3 minutes when Dean Windass reacted quickest to Nick Barmby’s initial effort which rebounded off the post, this prompted the East Stand to break out into a rendition of ‘We are top of the League’ even though technically we werent because Alan Lee had scored for Ipswich a minute earlier at Portman Road. With confidence high after the early strike City actually started to play a bit of football and the midfield began to play the ball around nicely.

Unfortunately this proved to be a short lived false dawn as 12 minues later Argyle pulled it back to 1-1, Andy Dawson backed off from David Norris and the Argyle midfielder placed a perfectly executed shot past the flailing dive of Bo Myhill and into the far corner of the net.

City’s achilees heel last season was a shaky defence and it appeared that this condition hadnt been treated during the summer when on the stroke of half time Plymouth scored again to make it 2-1, striker Rory Fallon stole in front of Danny Coles and his header from a Gary Sawyer cross found the City net bulging again.

2-1 down at half time and to the majority of fans in the stadium it was as if the summer had all been a distant dream and in truth we were still playing last seasons matches. Hopes were raised after the restart when City were awarded a penalty after Halmosi had pulled back Hughes in the box. Deano stepped up to take it but his soft effort was parried away by Romain Larrieu in the Argyle goal, fortunately Marney reacted quickest of the spectators and promptly dispatched the rebound into the net. Hopes were high again that we could push on and get a third though once again these were soon dashed as Argyle nearly retook the lead when a long ball over the top saw Myhill flap widely outside his area allowing Hayles the chance of a simple tap in, but the ex Fulham man could only see his effort go wide of the post, it could have been worse though as everyone in the ground except the officials had seen Myhill actually handle the ball outside his area. Argyle began to press hard and the City defence were looking shakier by the minute, indeed Myhill had to provide the save of the match to deny a shot by Fallon finding the net. Coles, Delaney & Myhill were playing like strangers with Bo having to scramble the ball to safety a number of times following mix ups between the three. Coles was physically losing his confidence in front of the K.C supporters and when substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake skinned him for pace with his first touch, the inevitable seemed to be close to happening and this proved to be the case when after a Stephen Mcphee effort had gone widely over the bar into the South Stand, Argyle broke away and Blake outpaced a static City defence to slip the ball into the back of the net and secure all three points for Argyle.

City were met with a chorus of Boo’s at the full time whistle as fans vented their feelings to Brown and his side. City are in dire straights at the moment with at least 4 new faces required before the transfer deadline, the defence is in desperate need of a leader (Danny Mills) an experienced head in the middle of the back four (Michael Johnson), the midfield need more width (Henrik Pederson)and we need a striker who can take his chances when they come his way. On todays performance it is going to be another season of struggle and finger nail biting.

Player Ratings

Bo Myhill 5
Left exposed by a poor defence, although he did flap at the ball a few times, would have been a four if it wasnt for his save from Fallon. Needs to improve his distribution and command of the area.

Sam Ricketts 6
Probably our best defender on the day, looked unwilling to get forward though in fairness he lacked support down the right hand side, couple of good tackles.

Danny Coles 3
This man is not Championship standard and a few more perfomance like today could damage his confidence for good. We need to get rid as soon as possible

Damien Delaney 5
Tried hard but could well have been shackled by the guy standing to his right, i just wish he would try to make more use of the ball when he is clearing his lines.

Andy Dawson 4
Last years Player of the season didnt get off to the best of starts this campaign, at fault for the Argyle equaliser, he needs competition for his place to give him something to think about.

Richard Garcia 5
Drifted in and out of the game, when he had the ball he looked half decent, his only one on one saw him skin his marker and we need to make more use of him.

Ian Ashbee 4
Poor tackling, poor distribution enough said.

Bryan Hughes 5
Some good touches at times but was too busy being overrun by the Argyle midfield.

Dean Marney 5
An enigma in a City shirt, either good or bad.Saved himself with his equaliser but we need a more consistant midfielder, didnt seem to know where he was supposed to play.

Dean Wnidass 7
A totally committed performance from the oldest swinger in town, scored City’s first well and chased a lot of lost causes, i love the way he can wind up the opposition defences, though he was fortunate not to be sent off today.

Nick Barmby 5
Needs to control his temperament at times, too many silly school boy tackles for my liking, though having said that, if he stays fit he could have a decent season at last.

David Livermore 4
On for Hughes but no impact what so ever.

Stephen McPhee 4
Should have scored to put City 3-2 up but shot widely over the bar.
Like Livermore, didnt do a lot when he came on.

Manager Rating
Phil Brown 4. Why he picked Coles ahead of Turner only he knows, has to start producing the results soon and cant use the excuse that its not his team. He needs to decide if he is going to play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 and bring in the players to fit the system.

Hull Boss Phil Brown
‘It was a great start but the same frailties were there for everyone to see.

‘We had a mountain to climb after going 2-1 down, and we’ve climbed the mountain yet again, but I was very disappointed at the way we conceded three goals.

‘We’ve also got to start taking the opportunities we had to go in front.’

Argyle Manager Ian Holloway
‘I don’t like conceding goals and the first goal was copybook. But it was terrific we managed to go in at half-time 2-1 up.

‘But then we committed hari-kiri – no way should anyone of their players get to the rebound first.

‘You’re only as good as your attitude but I thought our attitude was spot on – that’s what I love about my players.’