Match Report

In the first half we played a 4 4 2, with Wes playing deep in a flat midfield with no hint of a diamond. This surrendered the initiative to Hull, who I thought looked a very decent side. They kept the ball extremely well, with their short passing style of play. It?s the first time I?ve seen Chris Eagles and he is a good player.
We weren?t playing badly, just not well. There was no urgency in our paly and with Wes so deep the play was mainly in our half. Sometimes Wes has an off day when nothing comes off, but today he was just too deep. Lappin was having an off day however. They went ahead when their right back charged forward, as he was allowed to do on too many occasions. Jackson went with him, but gave up when they were level with our penalty area. Full back carried on, got the pass, pulled the ball back, one nil Hull.
Their second goal was scored after a peach of a ball from Marney dropped beautifully between Ward and Barnett and into the path of their centre forward. Although Ruddy got a hand to the shot he couldn?t stop the ball trickling into the net.
You can always tell a good manager when things are going wrong and things change after half time! We knew changes were afoot when the subs got called in early and urgently from their half time games on the pitch.
MacNamee came on for Lappin. He was electric, I have never seen him play so well and at times he was unplayable, even hitting the post. Wes moved forward and began to have a real influence on the game. Chrissy Martin came on with intent. He was really fired up and looked like he had a point to prove. He proved it, not only with his goal, cracking strike which went just wide from 25 yards but through his whole demeanour. Fox for Steve Smith was an interesting substitution. Korey went to right back, Russell Martin to left back.
Croft was unlucky to get booked, which was compounded by his second bookable offence after scoring the equaliser. It may give Fox a chance to shine

Posted By: Claygate_Canary, Nov 7, 10:18:09