Arrived at the KCC, which appears to be on a brownfield site next to some rough as a polar bears' arse estates. It's a great looking ground, slightly bigger than Falmer will be, not as good as the Maj Stad, but still impressive enough.
When the side was announced, with Jake in for 'Le Winger' everyone was excited at the prospect of him teaming up with CZR, sadly it was not to be, with McGhee adopting a cautious 4-5-1 with Jake on the right and Leon in the middle of the park, where on the infrequent occasions he received the ball he looked a class ahead of anyone else on the park.
The first half was fairly forgettable, Jake had a couple of good runs down the right, and put over one good cross that CZR, who was having an impossible battle with no support up front, headed just over the bar.
CZR was becoming more and more irate at trying to run the front line by himself, and was booked for a bit of argy bargy, and looked as if he was heading for a second card in his frustration. You could not blame the lad, Chippie and Charlie were very deep, Leon a little cautious, and Deano not surging up the left flank. The other main development in the first half was the battle between McShane and Barmby, which the ref completely missed despite it going on for a good five minutes.
The Albion looked the marginally better of two mediocre sides, when, a few minutes before half time, Charlie had the ball at his feet just outside our area and played a hospital ball to Leon, who was crunched from behind by a Hull defender, and Hull broke and scored from a 25 yard shot with no one attempting to close down the player in possession. It was the first time that Henderson had to move, sadly it was to pick the ball out of the net.
The second half started and there was a collective groan amongst the piss poor Albion turnout, Jake was nowhere to be seen, as was CZR (this was more understandable as McGhee was trying to prevent him getting a second yellow), to be replaced by Nicholas and ..........Trolley.
In the second half we were the better team by a fair margin, Trolley showed some very deft touches on occasions to set up Leon, who had switched to a wide right position, through for a few runs and crosses, but on each occasion there was only Hammond and the lumbering Trolley arriving in the box. On one occasion Trolley had a good chance on the diagonal about 15 yards out, but, disappointingly for a 16 stone 6 foot 4 bloke, had the shot strength of a six year old and the ball went tamely to the keeper. Later on Leon had our best chance after good work from Trolley, who hooked the ball over the Hull defence, but after superbly outjumping his marker Leon headed over the top.
With time running out and the Albion fans shouting for the Frenchman to be brought on, Hull broke two on one, and after Burgess' first effort came off Henderson and the bar, he was able to tap in the rebound.
At the final whistle the players gave some half hearted clapping to our half hearted support, and we all went home. It's going to be a long, long season ahead
Henderson 6: Did little wrong as had little to do, dropped one corner but it came to nothing.
Dodd 6: Looks very composed and never had problems with the Hull attack.
Tank 7: Calmness personified and won everything in the air as always
McShane 7.5: Looks a terrific player at our level, but I suspect will not make it in the Prem with United. No doubt Reading will sign him soon.
Reid 5: Caught out on a few occasions today and lack of a left foot causes us balance problems.
Hammond 6: The only midfield player to consistently support the forwards.
Oatway 5: Looks too slow, cannot give the ball away as often as he does at this level and not get punished for it. Improved in second half but still made too many basic errors.
Carpenter 5: Ditto Charlie.
Knight 7.5: Some very clever play at times, got frustrated as always. Double man marked by Hull in the second half to prevent him causing problems.
Robinson 6: Some promise, but not a right winger.
CZR 5: Felt sorry for the lad, needs to be given support
SUbs:
Trolley 6: Made a positive impression and showed more effort than has been known to in the past. Caught offside too often and wins too few balls in the air for a man his size.
Nicholas 6: Neat, tidy, but needs to dominate the game more
When the side was announced, with Jake in for 'Le Winger' everyone was excited at the prospect of him teaming up with CZR, sadly it was not to be, with McGhee adopting a cautious 4-5-1 with Jake on the right and Leon in the middle of the park, where on the infrequent occasions he received the ball he looked a class ahead of anyone else on the park.
The first half was fairly forgettable, Jake had a couple of good runs down the right, and put over one good cross that CZR, who was having an impossible battle with no support up front, headed just over the bar.
CZR was becoming more and more irate at trying to run the front line by himself, and was booked for a bit of argy bargy, and looked as if he was heading for a second card in his frustration. You could not blame the lad, Chippie and Charlie were very deep, Leon a little cautious, and Deano not surging up the left flank. The other main development in the first half was the battle between McShane and Barmby, which the ref completely missed despite it going on for a good five minutes.
The Albion looked the marginally better of two mediocre sides, when, a few minutes before half time, Charlie had the ball at his feet just outside our area and played a hospital ball to Leon, who was crunched from behind by a Hull defender, and Hull broke and scored from a 25 yard shot with no one attempting to close down the player in possession. It was the first time that Henderson had to move, sadly it was to pick the ball out of the net.
The second half started and there was a collective groan amongst the piss poor Albion turnout, Jake was nowhere to be seen, as was CZR (this was more understandable as McGhee was trying to prevent him getting a second yellow), to be replaced by Nicholas and ..........Trolley.
In the second half we were the better team by a fair margin, Trolley showed some very deft touches on occasions to set up Leon, who had switched to a wide right position, through for a few runs and crosses, but on each occasion there was only Hammond and the lumbering Trolley arriving in the box. On one occasion Trolley had a good chance on the diagonal about 15 yards out, but, disappointingly for a 16 stone 6 foot 4 bloke, had the shot strength of a six year old and the ball went tamely to the keeper. Later on Leon had our best chance after good work from Trolley, who hooked the ball over the Hull defence, but after superbly outjumping his marker Leon headed over the top.
With time running out and the Albion fans shouting for the Frenchman to be brought on, Hull broke two on one, and after Burgess' first effort came off Henderson and the bar, he was able to tap in the rebound.
At the final whistle the players gave some half hearted clapping to our half hearted support, and we all went home. It's going to be a long, long season ahead
Henderson 6: Did little wrong as had little to do, dropped one corner but it came to nothing.
Dodd 6: Looks very composed and never had problems with the Hull attack.
Tank 7: Calmness personified and won everything in the air as always
McShane 7.5: Looks a terrific player at our level, but I suspect will not make it in the Prem with United. No doubt Reading will sign him soon.
Reid 5: Caught out on a few occasions today and lack of a left foot causes us balance problems.
Hammond 6: The only midfield player to consistently support the forwards.
Oatway 5: Looks too slow, cannot give the ball away as often as he does at this level and not get punished for it. Improved in second half but still made too many basic errors.
Carpenter 5: Ditto Charlie.
Knight 7.5: Some very clever play at times, got frustrated as always. Double man marked by Hull in the second half to prevent him causing problems.
Robinson 6: Some promise, but not a right winger.
CZR 5: Felt sorry for the lad, needs to be given support
SUbs:
Trolley 6: Made a positive impression and showed more effort than has been known to in the past. Caught offside too often and wins too few balls in the air for a man his size.
Nicholas 6: Neat, tidy, but needs to dominate the game more
