At first glance, it’s strange that a home game against a team that has been below us for much of the season is being treated as something akin to a banker away win, but dig a bit deeper and it begins to make some sense.
Hull City almost reached the Play Offs last season, but had a bit of a nightmare summer as a bonkers sacking of their manager was followed by the virtual filleting of their 23/24 squad and a mish mash of a team to play through the first half of this season with.
Another manager came and went as Hull found themselves at the bottom of the league in the autumn, but the appointment of former Reading boss Ruben Selles (who we were linked with during the hiatus before Vincent Tan made a decision on Omer Riza), together with what was perceived as a very good January transfer window has brought about an improvement.
To be more accurate, it’s brought about an improvement in Hull’s away form – Saturday’s win at Sunderland was their fourth in five away games (including a 3-0 victory at Sheffield United) and they’ve kept a clean sheet in each of those wins. However, it was only this weekend that Hull climbed above us and then only on goal difference because they have by far the worst home record in the division (they’ve only won twice, ironically against the two Welsh clubs, on their own pitch this season).
Two other factors make Hull favourites tomorrow I’d say. First, they’ve done the double over us in the last three seasons and their 4-1 victory over us in Omer Riza’s first game in charge means that the Humbersiders have seven straight wins in the fixture now. Add to that the fact that it looks like it’ll be very much an injury hit team that City will be fielding and it has the feel of a game Hull should win.
On the glass half full side, we are on a five match unbeaten run at home (riches indeed by the standards of recent seasons). Realistically, we need wins now, but, maybe we might be able to sneak another draw (it wouldn’t be that bad an outcome for either side given that it’d take us both four points clear of Plymouth in the last relegation place)?
On to the quiz then, seven Hull related questions with the answers to be posted on here on Wednesday.
60s. Born in a town at one end of Hadrian’s Wall, this forward didn’t venture too far from home to sign for his first club, but he didn’t get to wear the red shirt on first team duty too much in the four years he spent with them and moved down the coast to Hull early in this decade. In seven years on Humberside, he was a regular first choice and on at least one occasion, City had cause to rue his presence in the Hull team. After leaving Hull, he had an unsuccessful season playing at a ground named after a life form which would have a rough time of it in the coming decade or so before going into management with spells at two sides that have now lost their Footbsll League status, can you name the player being described here?
70s. Which Hull manager of this decade began his playing career with the club thats ground housed the first cantilever stand in the UK?
80s. I’ll do a mini tour of Wales then end up right back in Hull! (4,8)
90s. At one time during this decade, Hull had two goalkeepers with identical names to a current day football commentator and a one time Blue Peter host disputing the position of goalkeeper, can you name them?
00s. Sage Caledonian at the back by the sound of it.
10s. Which former Hull and City player from this decade has made over one hundred appearances for the same club in European club competitions?
20s. Colour shade.
Answers
60s. Wallsend born Ray Henderson played as a right winger for, first, Middlesbrough and then Hull and he scored two of the goals by which the Tigers beat City 3-2 at Ninian Park in March 1967. Henderson finished his playing career at Reading’s Elm Park before going on to manage Southport and Halifax.
70s. Former West Brom and Hull player who also managed the Tigers for three years during this decade began his career with Scunthorpe who used to play at the Old Show Ground, the stadium with the UK’s first cantilever stand.
80s. Neil Williams.
90s. Goalkeepers Steve Wilson and Matt Baker were both on the Hull City staff in 96/97.
00s. Scott Wiseman.
10s. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor was loaned by Hull to City during this decade and has made more than one hundred appearances for Rangers in European competitions.
20s. Lincoln (green).
