Often Partisan

GAMEDAY – Hull at Home

Blues take on Hull City tonight in a crunch match for their playoff hopes – victory will see them close the gap on the top six again while defeat will leave even the optimists thinking this probably isn’t our year.

Hull City

Hull come into the match in second place with 64 points, 13 more than Blues. They’ve not lost in four games and kept five consecutive clean sheets in all competitions. They’ve lost once away from home in seven games in all competitions.

Steve Bruce has a fully fit squad to choose from with loanees Nick Powell and Chuba Akpom pushing for starts.

Blues

James Vaughan joins Nicolai Brock-Madsen on the sidelines having picked up a knock while Stephen Gleeson is unlikely to play due to illness. This could mean a promotion to the starting line up for David Davis while youngsters Viv Solomon-Otabor and Charlee Adams could be on the bench.

This game isn’t a must win game but one must think that with the playoff situation as it is Blues need something from it to maintain a push for the top six.

Ref

Stephen Martin is in the middle for this game. He’s taken charge of 26 games so far this season, handing out 62 yellow cards and four reds. His last Blues game was the home defeat to Huddersfield where he booked three players including Maikel Kieftenbeld.

Suspension Watch

One red card (three match suspension served): James Vaughan

9 Yellow Cards: Maikel Kieftenbeld
8 Yellow Cards: Stephen Gleeson
6 Yellow Cards: Diego Fabbrini
5 Yellow Cards: Jonathan Grounds and Jon Toral
4 Yellow Cards: David Davis,  Michael Morrison, Paul Robinson and Paul Caddis
3 Yellow Cards: David Cotterill,  Clayton Donaldson and James Vaughan
2 Yellow Cards: Jonathan Spector and Neal Eardley
1 Yellow Card: Tomasz Kuszczak

The cutoff date for 5 yellow cards to attract a suspension is November 30, 2015
The cutoff date for 10 yellow cards to attract a suspension is March 13, 2016

Match previews sponsored by EZE Group - Lifestyle Experts

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76 Responses to “GAMEDAY – Hull at Home”

  • Lich Blues says:

    Even as an ardent optimist I’m afraid I can’t see us getting anything tonight (hope i’m proved wrong)
    I was at the KC earlier in the season and we didn’t really touch the ball all match – Hull were just to good for us.

    Hoping for 1-0 Blues but think it will be 2-0 to Hull.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    It would have been an ideal opportunity for Reece Brown, but as he’s as close to the first team as Nicola Zigic is, I’d play Spector in Gleeson’s place in a 4-3-3. Hull have only scored 3 goals in their last 5 games, two of which were 0-0 draws. By Curtis Davies’ own admission, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday kept it tight and stopped them scoring by playing 5 in midfield. So let’s go with that, a point is better than none… and we might even nick three.

    Kuszczak
    Caddis Morrison Robinson Grounds
    Spector Kieftenbeld Davis
    Toral Donaldson Maghoma

    Subs: Legzdins, Shotton, Adams, Cotterill, Buckley, Fabbrini, Solomon-Otabor.

  • Dave Mann says:

    A must not lose game for me , a win great , a draw ok , a defeat and it’s not looking good but we’re know by 9.45 pm so fingers crossed and the team selection will be interesting . KRO

  • Pods says:

    Good call Staffs with regards to team selection, giving us strength on the bench if required,
    If we look at the championship table, it does not lie, we need to get something from game, but i”m afraid draws are not good as we are playing catch up.

    Lets keep the faith and go for a very hard earned 3 points.

    KRO

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Hull’s midfield is very strong, so we need to be disciplined for the whole 90+ minutes. My main worry would be Caddis up against Clucas. He’s a cracking signing from Mansfield and a lot of Hull’s attacks go through him this season. But, there’s no realistic choice to Caddis, unless you use a centre back… oh..

  • That team looks good to me staffs , but the front three would be ….Jones …..Donaldson ……HALE…ha ha

  • Singapore Brum says:

    Hull looked the better side when they played Arsenal in the FA Cup at the Emirates stadium 2 weeks ago. They are a better team than Blues no doubt, but I still see this as a must win game if we are to have any realistic chance of a top 6 finish. A draw isn’t going to kick start our run in but a win and a good performance might just.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Yes, they did look good against Arsenal, but I watched them against Wednesday last Friday and they looked very average.. in fact both teams did. Hopefully, we’ll catch them on an off night.

  • edd77 says:

    A battling 1-0 defeat for me tonight ,I can’t see us scoring against a very good defence ,top 10 finish this season and I’m more than happy ,we fall short in quality over 46 games

  • Tony says:

    All this tactical, team selection by amateur managers misses the point entirely, that being that man for man Hull are miles better than us. At the end of the day that’s what matters.That’s what its all about, you cant make a silk purse out of a cows ea.r Blues are a midtable side at best Rowet has done brilliantly to get them to this position, we will see but I expect the worst.

  • Pods says:

    Let’s ALL be positive. A cracking Blues performance against a previous good manager this could well be a surprise night’s result for all Bluenoses.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Let’s hope we do turn up because otherwise it could be embarrassing , a bold attacking approach needed with a few shots at goal woukd be nice . KRO

  • Mitchell says:

    Interesting to see what gate we get as Sky coverage etc. Also,would be useful to know if anyone knows how much we get from Sky. Perhaps Daniel could advise. thanks.

  • Dave Mann says:

    Only £10 tonight and pay on the gate but I still do don’t think we’re break 17,000 because of the sky coverage , shame but that’s the reality today unfortunetly . KRO

    • Singapore Brum says:

      The game is being shown live on Singapore TV. Mind you it’s at 3.45am and it is the only game on tonight.

      I suppose the gate will be disappointing since nobody ever seems to play on a Thursday night and I don’t imagine Hull will bring that many.

    • Mitchell says:

      Just cannot understand Thursday. Europa games normally dominate this week day and attendances reach rock bottom. Away support from Hull will not amount to much but Brucie is the force tonight. Whatever the result I do hope GR gets the chosen eleven on the front foot with wingers getting the ball at a set target throughout. No stupid big ball up to Don. If Maghoma and Cotterill fail first half then get VSO and Arthur running the wings.

  • Texas Pete says:

    This is a game for gambling and so I would put in Hale because noboby else is scoring. Why not? Toral and Fabrinni can come on for the last 20 after Hale has scored enough goals.
    It is strange that this game is being called a must win game because its against the best team in the league and we are not fighting relegation. Let’s gamble!

  • Dave Mann says:

    Like your style Pete and let’s hope Rowett does throw a supprise or two , as you say why not ? KRO

  • Ali Duncan says:

    Normally I’m positive but I have to agree with Tony, we’ll be second best man-for-man all over the pitch. Yes we could raise our game and Hull have an off night but I’d be surprised if the outcome is anything other than an away win.

    We’re nowhere near as good as we think we are and have been acheiving well above our level . There is no way we’re the 6th best team in this league and I can’t see us having enough quality in the tank to make the play-offs. I was at QPR last week and the performances was awful. Mid-table squad at best I’m afraid.

  • Novac was a striker that shot on sight , will never be a star in the prem except at a later age happen , but with a goal every 2.7 games with being a sub quite often , played on the wing the same , something tells me with the goalscorers not firing on all cylinders , why is he not on the bench , with fabbrini on the bench , with Vaughan on the bench , with shotton not playing that well ,with Buckley not playing that well, perhaps brown on the bench , mbende , on the bench and a £ 3.75 quality striker /goalmaker would have been a better option ,…..

  • Ted says:

    I think the possible presence of Davis and Toral will make us more robust physically which we will need against a strong Hull side. Oddly, as I am not a risk taker I agree with Texas Pete: I’d put Hale on the bench tonight as out attacking options are so limited. KRO

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’ve not seen an answer yet about Hale’s straight red card the other day. Does that rule him out of all competitive football, including the first team?

  • Hillfield Blues says:

    A win would be fantastic and be a massive shot in the arm confidence wise for the run in.We need to go at them and play with some freedom so I would like to see Toral and Fabrini play with Caddis at right back.A draw wouldn’t be a disaster but just don’t lose.

  • Spot on HB I look at it this way unless you are Stan Lynn you aint going to score from the half way line ,so the more you move up as en mass , then it is less chance that the opposition will score ,, Stan’s 87 now , for blues he scored a goal every 5 games what a net buster , good memories , …KRO

    • .KC says:

      What a great name to come up with William. Did he play in that 3-3 cup draw with Spurs.?Scored a penalty? Wow. Only downside you know where he came from ?

  • ChrisG says:

    We do have a habit of playing well against the better teams so i’d be surprised if we didn’t get at least a draw. We didn’t play too badly up at Hull & if memory serves their 1st goal shouldn’t have been as Kuszczak was virtually assulted in the lead up, and while the players were still moaning about it Hull scored a second, so let’s hope things go our way tonight for a change. I’m going 1-1 with Maghoma to score the opening goal.

  • Sorry Stan WOULD have been 87 now , which makes him being missed for even longer , my recolection of Stan was of his shot being harder than the ball on a dereliction crane ..memory for ever STAN….KRO

  • Dave Mann says:

    Adidas our new kit supplier for the next 4 seasons , should get proper Blues home kits now like during the 70s and 80s .. KRO

  • Graham says:

    Yes about time kit problems have been sorted, this defo good news

  • David L says:

    Well, I don’t know so much about sales of replica kits, but I think both of the club’s playing kits this season look very smart and instantly identifiable.

    The 140 yr badge has great design quality. The away kit is vivid in its sharp colours, and the name-filled sash on the first kit, and the one-off reversion to 1875 colours were/are a great idea.

    The thought of going back to just a royal-blue and white version of a standard Adidas kit design is quite depressing to me.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I didn’t like the away kit at all, at first, but it’s grown on me. It’s quite distinctive. I’ve not liked the home kit since it came out and haven’t changed my mind on that. Will be glad to see the back of it. Look forward to seeing what a decent company can produce next season.

      • David L says:

        There is no right answer of course, but for me the great things about our kit this season was its distinctive design and clever use of the club’s heritage. The designs were one offs.

        We already know what kind of thing adidas will produce – they supply lots of other clubs, so our 16/17 kit will just be a royal blue and white version of what many other clubs will wear.

        I suppose it’s good that adidas see us as a team worth supporting. Wonder what will happen to the badge…do you not think that’s a neat piece of design?

        I like the thought that we had the strength of mind to be different – but if you’ve had problems with garment quality, well that is a bad thing

        But anyway, I’m going away from the point – it’s the result not the kit! If we win tonight I wouldn’t mind if we played in cl**** and b***. (well, maybe I’d mind a bit)

        • StaffsBlue says:

          Sorry David, but it’s the ball and globe for me every time. It’s iconic to us.

          • David says:

            And you can’t beat the iconic penguin kit! I’d love Blues to return to it next season.

          • david l says:

            To me, it’s not either/or, it’s both.

            Yep, I think the penguin kit is cool too. When we first played in it, I don’t think any other senior English team had a strip like it.
            Yep I think the ball and globe logo is a style icon – modern and clean, and we were one of the first clubs to go down that route away from the nice – but dated – heraldic crests.

            In both cases we were ahead of the trend and I see this year’s kit in the same way – I’m delighted that BCFC have the strength to have an independent mind.

            Hence the thought that just having one of Adidas’ variations that many other clubs have is a bit of a let down.

            But hey, why am I woffling about shirts? WE’VE JUST BEAT THE LEAGUE LEADERS AND THE P WORD IS BACK!!!!!!

  • Dave Mann says:

    What was around now comes around David , don’t get to deppressed mate , the kit is our mark and Cabbrini was short of quality , you can bet that German workmanship is much better and eont have stickers missing . KRO

  • Dave Mann says:

    and won’t have stitches missing.

  • I can’t remember kc , mike helliwell for me took all the glory down the wing that day , putting the ball between bunches of players and outstripping all of them for pace to cross , great stuff .

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Caddis is back and Cotterill. Rest of the team as normal. I hope Gleeson isn’t too sick to pass the ball. ;)

  • Mitchell says:

    Why hasn’t GR matched up Davis v. Huddlestone. Really annoys me this-such an obvious thing to do. Nobody but nobody is going to stop his game and just hope Davis is brought on before Huddl.completely dominates and bullies us.

  • Come on blues this one is against an old manager so you owe a win for Gary , and the fans are getting that feeling in their water that you can make the playoffs , so twenty shots at goal blues , Come On make your mark , this is your time your glory , Do you want the prem , Make it happen , your Rowetts Raiders and your ready , you know where the goals are COME ON. ….SUPER BLUES….

  • This team is certainly better in the first half WOW , every bit as good as Hull , COME ON SUPER BLUES…KRO

  • AdamTrueBlue says:

    Well that over performing team that will never make the playoffs and is top ten at best has beaten the front runners, bit ragged at times second half but dogged defending and 3 points. Kro

  • Blooflame says:

    I’m delighted to be commenting postmatch. Birmingham always looked assured in defence, granted once or twice we rode our luck but then Hull were entitled to threaten, but that was it. My observation was that Cotterill is not a 90 minute player and Maghoma, in my view, continues to be a liabilty. He consistently loses or gives the ball away and is a very poor passer. I’m sure Gary Rowett sees something there for the future but as a fan it is extremely frustrating. Overall I couldn’t be more proud, there was plenty of passing from the back and some great interplay during the first half. Blues were quite happy to let Hull play in front of them following the goal. It really was encouraging to see the team being able to change their tactics and play to instructions, it’s a great sign of a developing team.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I said earlier that if we kept it tight, a point would be good, but we could possibly nick all three. :) Yes, we rode our luck in defence at times.. but so did Hull. It was a brilliantly disciplined performance, you could see 3 or 4 of our players were blowing out their backsides in the last 20 minutes, but they stuck at it. Well done to every single one of them.

    So, we’re now 1 point behind Wednesday and 3 behind Derby. Game on!

  • Mitchell says:

    Robinson was immense and so too Grounds and Kusczak. My apologies to GR for criticising him pre match for not including Davis from the start. That’s why he is where he is and I am where I am. Bold performance sums it all up with bottle galore. Perfect masterclass for our rivals across Aston Expressway.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I thought Davis would have been in from the start too, but then, I believed what Rowett said about Gleeson being doubtful for the game. I should know better by now. :) I was screaming for him to come on for the last 20 minutes though, because Hull were building up a head of steam and our midfield were tiring.

  • tony says:

    Brilliant result not expected, delighted to be proved wrong.

  • David L says:

    Great result – as tony said, delighted to be proved wrong.

    Looks like we’re sticking with the autumn team of 110% effort and flashes of inspiration.

    Makes up so much for Saturday and last Tuesday…onward feeling v good about the world!

  • ChrisG says:

    Well, I wasn’t expecting that, but I did say in an earlier post today that we play well against the better teams. I think we saw a case of fan power today as Caddis & Torel were restored to the line up & Davis coming on second half instead of Buckley or Fabrini.
    I said to my mate at half time that Cottrill looked back to his old self & then come the second half I thought he’d been left in the changing room he went totally missing!!!. Onwards to Blackburn next week. KRO

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Cotterill and Maghoma worked their knackers off for an hour covering the full backs and getting forward and both were lagging around then. I thought Toral was looking leggy by then too, but he seemed to find a second wind in the last 10 minutes. Younger lungs and legs I suppose. :)

    • Shirley Blue says:

      It’s got nothing to do with fan power – Its a manager who deserves a lot more respect making the right decisions. Caddis has made mistakes this season but Shotton had to be dropped after QPR. Toral was poor at Rotherham and was replaced by Fabbrini who won us the game against Bolton by setting up the goal against a team who parked the bus. That performance took guts and character tonight. We probably played as well in the first half as we have all season. GR got the substitution right getting Davis on. Games like QPR are going to happen – we have only lost two games out of the last ten. We will lose more games before the end of the season but we can still make the play offs as long as we don’t lose two or three in a row.

  • .KC says:

    Agree with Blooflame above on Cotts/Magoma. ButToral/Donaldson terrific, Defence very tight when we settled down. Great to see Caddis back. Would have scored more in second half if Gleeson and Kief could just control and keep possession a little more. Davis contribution immense when he came on.

    Happy to get soaked when walking to car. Great atmosphere in ground. Wonderful feeling to beat the likes of Hull. We were brilliant in first half. Well done GR and the team. KRO

    • Shirley Blue says:

      Cotterill had missed the majority of the season through injury so expecting him to complete 90 minutes in a game like that just wasn’t going to happen. Maghoma a liability – no way is that right. He worked his wotsits off tonight as did the rest of them.

  • Lichblue says:

    So delighted with that result. Great to be proved wrong re: beating Hull and proved right re: playing Toral and Caddis from the start. Great result. KRO.

  • Bromsgrove Blue says:

    Battling performance from the Blues tonight although Hull had us under the cosh somewhat in the 2nd Half and we did have the rub of the Green a bit. I thought Robbo and Kuzack were immense in defence and the goalies double save half way through the second half was top drawer. I felt that we tended to defend too deep and let them come on to us. I felt our midfield got overwhelmed and that Rowett should have brought Davies on earlier. I also couldn’t understand why he didn’t use all of his subs. Anyway a good win which puts us right back in the mix. Kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      At one point in the second half, Robbo was trying to push the defence further forward, but they weren’t taking any notice. His face told you he wasn’t best pleased. Anyone else notice that?

      • Mitchell says:

        Yes Staffs I noticed Robbo and his orders to push up. Think we are possibly looking at a future BCFC manager here -in the mould of a younger Peter Reid/ Warnock/Pulis.

        • swissjonny says:

          Mitchell I was only thinking that myself.A man in the Steve Bruce mould.I dont think that we should under estimate his role in this teams success.A great motivator,leader and boss on the pitch.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            And the only one we have. I would think that Robinson’s role will be mainly as a coach next season (although, we thought that this season,) we’re going to have to look at the team captain’s role again, because, imo, Morrison isn’t a patch on Robbo.

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    Terrific performance: needed that win for self belief and three points. Post match interview Gary admitted they were aiming for top six from season start

    Best moment? Just watched the recording.!Gary calling someone an effing knob

  • Luke says:

    What an effort by CD with the overhead. Great, battling performance – a bit lucky with the Robbo hand but we deserved the win overall. And credit to the fans who sang their hearts out towards the end and lifted the team when they needed it.


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