City’s Coyle: We should’ve got the job done
HULL City defender Lewie Coyle says the side cannot feel sorry for themselves following their penalty heartache in the FA Cup.
The Tigers’ run in the Cup ended at the second round stage as they missed out on a potential moneyspinning third round tie, beaten on penalties by League Two side Stevenage.
The lottery of penalties is a tough way to bow out of any competition, but Coyle admits his side must look at their own performance having failed to see the game out when leading in the second half thanks to a Tom Eaves penalty.
Admitting the players had discussed at half-time the need to be more ruthless, Coyle was disappointed City couldn’t do a professional job and see the match out.
“I thought first half we were okay, but still could have been a lot better in my opinion, we were far too wasteful in the final third,” Coyle told the club’s website.
“We got up there but didn’t enjoy long spells of possession which is what we have been good at all season. From that point of view it was frustrating.
“Defensively we looked solid enough. We came in at half-time and said let’s go out there and be more ruthless in front of goal and enjoy a big spell of possession in their half. We created a few more chances in the second half and got the goal, but you have to be professional and see the game out.
“It was a sloppy play we lost possession in our half, they land on it and score the goal. To then lose on penalties is never nice but it came from before that.”
■City’s clash with Portsmouth has been moved for television broadcast after being selected by Sky Sports.
The game was scheduled for Saturday, December 19 but will now be played on December 18 with a 5.30pm kick-off.
City currently top League One and will face a stern test against Kenny Jackett’s side, who are fifth in the standings, five points behind Grant Mccann’s men having played a game more.