Credit to opposition - flaws cruelly exposed

[Deleted]

First, credit to Hull (I wish the antis would remember there are actually TWO teams on the pitch) I thought they played us well, hustled and hurried us, spread play at every opportunity and, ran any attempt at gaining an advantage out of our tired looking legs.

They also exposed our limitations up front too, without Fuller,
we hardly look a top six side and how it showed, even making allowances for our players long range travels, we simply have not got enough decent strikers at the club to make a real push.

Sidibe, Parkin and Pericard really have to take a close look at themselves tonite !

also Ive said before - look at our bench presenlty- we aren't strong enough !

I say that even conceding I too (like many) would have started with Cresswell up front, even so, we were made to look what we were today, i.e. pretty ordinary and being truthful we were outplayed for long parts of this game.

Saying all that, its nice that our expectations have been raised to the extent we were frustrated we couldn't beat Hull today - two terrific saves by their goalkeeper mustn't be forgotten either -as for Pericards 'penalty' - Q) did any of you honestly think he'd score from open play?
A) (me neither)

but whats needed was there for all to see- another striker who can score goals and somebody who can hold onto the ball in midfield rather than treating it like a bar of soap in a sudsy bath.

Saying all that - the players and the manager have done wonders to get us so far -we just need those signings to make the final assault on the summit
and thats my main point - we need those signings early rather than later in January (if today is anything to go by)

[DodgyDino]

Hull were by far the better team today, Its not a matter of two points dropped but definatley one gained. We never looked like we were ever going to go on to win the game.

[Jimbo]

Good post tony, Hull came and did a job. It was the sort of job which we might have been pleased with if we did it at their ground. But as the home team we lack the ability to open games up with creativity and movement. Our midfield is lacking in every position with the exception of Lawrence.

The January transfer window will show whether the club is serious about challenging for promotion. We need a left winger with pace who can beat his man, and central playmaker who wants the ball and can bring others into play around him. Hopefully Diao will be fit sooner rather than later, which will add some much needed ball distribution and energy.

[Olgrligm]

Part of the problem with the midfield was that we allowed them plenty of time on the ball and gave them the freedom of the pitch, but their midfield didn't let us do the same. They sank back into two banks of four very effectively.

[mermaidsal]

The thing is, if our main tactic is bothering teams, that takes 100% energy and commitment. There's just not enough quality to fall back on if we're jaded as we were today (as TP would agree, I'm sure) and without Fuller that becomes cruelly clear.

If we play like that against Newcastle they'll murder us.

[bogus]

We missed Fuller big time today. Just no energy up front at all and nobody capable of running at, or in behind, the back four. We just didn't pull the Hull defence about at all and everything they had to deal with was in front of them.

The other, obvious problem is the midfield. They looked a tired bunch and we just do not have anyone to replace them and freshen things up. I think I'm right in saying that the four across the middle today have played EVERY minute of all four games over this busy period. We currently have no alternatives in this area, Salif will help tremendously, but we really need to address this, IMO.

Fresh legs (with quality) in midfield, another more mobile, preferably goalscoring, forward to play with or to replace Fuller when necessary are a must for January, for me.

[JoeinOz]

Credit to Hull they came and did a good job on us and got a well earned point. However, if we are serious contenders its games like these we should be winning. Our starting eleven isn't half as sparse as some have made it out to be IMHO BUT when Pericard came on it demonstrated our lack of depth and was there for all to see.

Investment required.

[Rebelliousjukebox]

jimbo said:

Good post tony, Hull came and did a job. It was the sort of job which we might have been pleased with if we did it at their ground. But as the home team we lack the ability to open games up with creativity and movement. Our midfield is lacking in every position with the exception of Lawrence.

The January transfer window will show whether the club is serious about challenging for promotion. We need a left winger with pace who can beat his man, and central playmaker who wants the ball and can bring others into play around him. Hopefully Diao will be fit sooner rather than later, which will add some much needed ball distribution and energy.

Agree, and Lawrence not nearly as effective with Wright as (rubbish) right-back playing.