Master gets one over apprentice, and bouncing back
AND FANS WATCHING THE GAME AT THE KCOM - BUT NOT IN THE STANDS
It had been billed as two of League One’s promotion favourites going head-tohead at the KCOM Stadium, Hull City’s biggest test of the season against Peterborough United. It started well for the Tigers when Mallik Wilks fired the hosts in front before half-time, only for Posh to come roaring back with two goals in the second half to inflict a first home league defeat on Grant Mccann’s Tigers in the pouring East Yorkshire rain.
Master gets one over apprentice...
For long periods in the first half, City were much the better side and looked positive, energetic and deservedly got their goal through Wilks - it appeared like Mccann would continue his fine record against Darren Ferguson, his former boss.
Ferguson, however, was to have the last laugh. The Scot, a wily, experienced old fox made a key tactical switch at half-time moving to a back three, pushing his wingbacks on and that proved the difference, as City struggled to get to grips with the visitors in the second period.
Joe Ward in particular, was playing 20 yards or so further up the pitch and that gave Callum Elder a real problem, which the Tigers struggled to react to with both goals ultimately coming down that side - a lack of urgency cutting out crosses proved a theme.
Management is one big learning curve, and I’m sure when Mccann along with his coaching staff dissect Saturday’s performance, they’ll reflect on those tactical tweaks making the difference.
Staying positive...
Expectations are a funny thing, aren’t they? At the start of the campaign, few City fans would realistically have given much hope for the Tigers being in the top echelons of the division, given the way things fell apart last season. Suddenly, they’ve won six out of eight in League One and flirted with the top of the table, currently sitting second and the expectation given their start, is to remain there - and rightly so.
The Tigers have taken 18 points from a possible 24 and that has to be considered a good start in anyone’s book, and while some will understandably point to the fact Mccann’s men have lost against the two teams expected to be in around the top six, you still have to look at the positives and if you took six wins and two defeats from every eight games this term, you’ll be doing alright.
A raft of new players, a new league and confidence on the floor over the summer - there’s plenty of mitigating factors you could put forward as to why City would be entitled to a slow start, but that hasn’t been the case.
Unlike in the second half at Fleetwood, Peterborough did not outplay City and the home side had enough chances to get something from the game, while the winning goal was a little fortuitous to say the least - so there is reason to feel brighter than in the aftermath of Fleetwood.
Bouncing back...
City now have two hefty road trips to look forward to - and both against teams that saw their games this weekend postponed.
First up is a trip to Bristol Rovers tomorrow, before City are back down south on Saturday with a visit to Swindon.
Two away games present Mccann’s men with a good chance to respond well to the Posh defeat, and back-up that impressive win at Rochdale in their last outing on the road.
Historically, both Rovers and Town are a tough nut to crack on their own patch, but without supporters, the Tigers’ task will be made marginally easier. Given how City responded to that defeat at Fleetwood, you wouldn’t back against them doing so again.
Magic Mallik...
Some derided the signing of Wilks from Barnsley in the summer, but already this season, he’s started to repay the faith shown in him by Mccann.
His goal against Peterborough was well taken, linking up nicely with Josh Magennis to steer past goalkeeper Christy Pym.
After his brace at Rochdale last Saturday, Wilks was almost celebrating another, only to see his effort diverted onto a post in the
second half - such were the fine margins of luck in both boxes that went against the home side.
City need to get him more involved in and around the penalty box, because there’s little doubt he has the tools at his disposal to go on and be a real threat this season.
Fans back in the KCOM watching on a delayed internet stream...
You’d like to think those supporters lucky enough to be at the KCOM to watch the game in the Kingston Suite enjoyed their afternoon, even if the result was far from ideal.
It makes a complete mockery of the situation when a club can invite fans into the stadium to watch in an enclosed room, but yet can’t sit inside an open bowl and watch in the fresh air - which is supposedly safer - according to the science, a phrase we’re all hiding behind now.
I appreciate the severity of the pandemic, and how we must all take relevant precautions, but when you see groups of fans huddled together at non-league matches over the weekend celebrating goals like the old days, and we’re not allowed a few supporters in a 25,000 seater stadium, the whole effort loses credibility and it leaves you with more questions than answers.
The government need to get a grip of this situation, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden needs to pull his finger out and get the ball rolling; other entertainment industries are beginning to open up, so why not the Football League? Stop messing around, do it properly, do it safely and we can start to breathe life back into our football clubs.