Campbell has big claim for Tigers’ start
STRIKER PROVES POINT AFTER FIRING IN WINNER, BUT CITY AREN’T OUT OF TROUBLE
1
Clinical edge the difference
It’s been a criticism levelled at Hull City for some time under Nigel Adkins that they lack the necessary firepower to succeed in the Championship, none more so than in the last month.
The Tigers had gone six games without scoring a goal from open play, with City fans being able to boast just two spot-kicks from top scorer Jarrod Bowen as reason to cheer, before Fraizer Campbell broke the deadlock at the University of Bolton Stadium. The striker’s effort came in just the seventh minute of the fixture but it proved enough to seal all three points.
The home side weren’t shy to have an effort on goal and in the first 45 minutes alone fired off eight attempts at David Marshall’s goal, but tellingly none managed to test the Scotland international
Bolton were a little more accurate in the second half with Marshall being forced to make three saves, but ultimately couldn’t find the breakthrough.
2
Fraizer Campbell stakes a claim
Campbell could perhaps count himself hard done by to find himself sitting on the bench instead of Chris Martin in recent weeks, who had started six of the Tigers’ last seven and often as a lone striker.
However, after going eight games without finding the net, Martin was replaced by Campbell at Bolton and he wasted no time in making his mark. On the end of Jarrod Bowen’s low cross, the striker kept his cool and slotted the ball under Ben Alnwick with a clever finish from eight yards.
As ever, the striker worked diligently throughout and left the pitch with his spot in the side for next weekend against West Bromwich Albion all-but tied down. 3
Robbie Mckenzie acquits himself well
Despite making just five senior appearances before this weekend, Mckenzie slotted into the Tigers’ back line seamlessly on his first league start for his hometown club.
With the guiding hand of Tommy Elphick beside him, Mckenzie looked anything but out of place at the heart of defence and emerged unscathed on a memorable afternoon for the 20-year-old.
Bolton did ask questions of the youngster with the experienced Clayton Donaldson attempting to pick on his naivety, but Mckenzie, who was playing as a left-sided centre-back rather than his usual position on the right, had all the answers.
He will be hope to retain the role when the Tigers host West Brom next weekend.
4
City aren’t out of trouble
Let’s not get carried away, there’s a long way to go and City are still staring
danger straight in the face.
The dressing room will have been a happier place on Saturday afternoon with what was just a third league win of the campaign likely to bolster morale within the Tigers’ ranks.
However, it wasn’t enough to see City move out of the relegation zone. Instead the Tigers sit two points adrift of Rotherham United in 21st, level on points with Reading.
Nevertheless, Adkins will hope to see his side build on the win and ignite what has ultimately been a stuttering start to the campaign.
5 It doesn’t get easier
A win may have relieved some of the pressure surrounding the club, but unfortunately it doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers, who will now attempt to build momentum in another tricky run.
Over the next five games, City will meet free-scoring West Brom, big spenders Nottingham Forest and three of the most in-form sides in the division in Birmingham City, Norwich City and QPR to take them into the Christmas period.
All five find themselves in and around the promotion picture at present with City at the other end and the Tigers will be considered outsiders in every clash.