City impress Pompey legend Whittingham
HULL City’s performance in their 4-0 win at title rivals Portsmouth on Saturday has been described as phenomenal by a Pompey legend.
The Tigers produced their best performance of the season in mauling one of their closest rivals for promotion at Fratton Park to remain top of League One.
Former Blues midfielder Guy Whittingham praised City for their complete display, while trying to explain why boss Kenny Jackett opted to make two changes at halftime with his side already a goal down.
Jackett sent on Harvey White and Ben Close in a bid to try and get a foothold, but they did little to halt City’s surge towards a sensational win.
“He (Jackett) has made the decision, the way this team are playing and the shape they’re playing isn’t causing Hull enough problems, so he wanted to change that,” Whittingham told the BBC.
“But it didn’t work. It’s one of those things as a manager - sometimes people are frustrated that he doesn’t make enough substitutions and early.
“This time he did and it backfired on him. I think the way Portsmouth went to play in the second half was to try to get Ben Close and Harvey White in more advanced midfield roles, try and pass their way through Hull.
“But Hull worked hard and sussed that out quite quickly and closed that down, didn’t give Portsmouth any chance to play any passes really.
“Their work-rate was phenomenal, and physically as well power in the way they played and the way they broke quick. So, yeah, they really did a job and, given hindsight, I think Kenny Jackett will look back on that decision.”