"It just hint good enuff!"

"It just hint good enuff!"

HULL CITY TIGERS 1 - 0 NORWICH CITY

Oh dear it's starting again and I don't mean the performance, I mean the classic case of some #ncfc fans getting all worked up because we lost a game and calling for Hughtons head.

First of all, I can catergorically tell all of you that that was not a "negative" or "defensive" display so those spouting that crap should learn something about football and shut their mouth!

For those that continue with the "why ent Hootun playun two strikers! 442! It just hint good enuff". Just for the record very few teams outside the top 6 play a 442 and that's for a very good reason. In the Premiership it's all about possession. You aren't going to create a thousand chances a game unless you are Man United or Chelsea etc and even the later set up in a 4231 (same as we did today). Having that 5 in midfield with 3 of those pushing forward allows you to play more expansive passing play, you keep more possession. Trust me a 4231 is not a negative tactic or formation that's essentially 4 up front with one central mid playing both attack and then dropping back into defensive duties when needed with the two holding mids.

Those that claim that today's performance was negative and defensive were clearly watching a different game or (which I suspect is the case) just like saying that about Hughton and his tactics! We spent 90% of the game camped in their half (that's not negative), we had 60% possession, also not negative. At every opportunity we were trying to find space to work an attack (not negative).

Did we lack some creative flair today? Yes we did. Did we do ourselves no favours with sloppy passing? Yes we did, but to say it was a negative and defensive display is BS.

The truth is this: we started brightly had some great movement and passing, Redmond in particular cutting inside and creating space, Fer also looked very dangerous, RVW making some really nice runs opening up the Hull defence. Then the dubious penalty decision. That got Hull's tails up, it was totally against the run of play. Our guys showed good spirit to not drop their heads and within seconds Redmond was unleashing a blistering shot on goal. Then the sending off! Definite red card but it changed the game. Hull quite rightly then endeavoured to shut up shop and protect their lead. In fairness to them they did it to great applaude much in the same way they showed great defensive play against Chelsea last weekend.

The next 25 mins post the sending off were key. We needed to go bang bang bang and hurt them while they were trying to find their shape and balance. However one person stood in the way of that and that was Mike Jones (referee). His insistence of giving a free kick for every nudge or tackle slowed the momentum of the game and created an American Football style game of stop start, stop start. It killed our momentum and meant that come the half time break Hull and Steve Bruce had time to regroup and plan their tactics for the second half.

Second half came and we came out of the blocks racing and bar some very open play and some more sloppy passing late in the second half, we spent 90% of the time camped in their half. At this point though Hull had 10 men behind the ball in defence making it nigh impossible for us to find routes and spaces in. Bar a wonderful header from van Wolfswinkel that was kept out with a fantastic save by McGregor and a Tettey long shot that was set up with a superb chested ball from RVW, we didn't get too many clear cut chances. The stat showing how many chances we took from long range efforts says it all, we couldn't get inside their box because they camped everyone around it.

I think some Norwich fans expected us to go their and smash them 6 or 7 nil! Ridicolous! Hull are not an easy team, they defend wonderfully and are a tough tough team to break down (much like we were this season). I had hoped for a win and it is true that we need to be looking at these types of games as games to win if we are to number one, stay in this league and two, climb the table further. In truth I expected a tough close encountered I even said it would probably be a bit scrappy and that they would stop us from playing how we want to play and on those counts I was right. However I had predicted us to win 2-1.

Do I think it was a below par display today from Norwich? yes I do! Not though for the reasons being sited by some people. We were simply too sloppy in possession and yes maybe we lacked a little creativity in the final third. No one. however, can say we didn't try and can say we were negative or defensive because it's simply not true. Unfortunately it's used as the staple "I don't really know what I'm talking about so it must be right" blurb that comes out of a small number of fans mouths in these occasions.

Finally for those moaning about the starting XI the only other option open to us was to play Redders wide right and Ollson wide left. Snodgrass was on the bench because he wasn't fit enough to play 90. Yes Howson is not a wide player but we didn't really have many options with Snoddy not fully fit, Pilks not ready and Bennett now out for the season! I think under the circumstances that was probably the best line up on offer.

A few positives to take from the game though would once again be RVW's performance, he didn't see much of the ball but when he did he looked clinical that header alone was superb. I heard some classic #canarycall caller earlier say "this is The Wolf why we playun it to his head! E's not an header of the ball now ez he!" - really! Have you seen many of RVW's goals! A clinical header of the ball I would argue!

I also think Fer had a great performance and looked the proper deal in the centre of the park. Redmond was sublime again although his decision making lets him down, however that will come with age. I also think that Elmader (and I'm not his biggest fan) looked great when he came on, some really nice touches and some lovely open play with the Wolf.

Anyway I just think that some fans need to learn to think before they speak because they end up looking like totally idiots with some of the comments they make!

Right time for a shower before seeing what Good 'Ol Gazza and co have to say about today on MOTD! On to a confidence boosting win against Bury on Tuesday and then a hard thought 3 points against Saints on Saturday, rest assured though, neither are gonna be easy!

Peace!