Following on from last week's game where a few of us highlighted our slight concern, that our poor passing along the back line was limiting our forward momentum.
Tonight against Hull, we were much improved and to my mind it certainly contributed to getting to their end quicker and more chances created.
Well done to all concerned. It definitely put them on the back foot.

Hulls slow press and inability to read the game made us look like world beaters at this.

We got to their danger areas quicker because we were simply better than them in all departments.

Score says 2-0. In reality the gap between the teams was IMMENSE.

The Roberts, Anthony, Hannibal quick linkups helped up with this massively. Cullen also fantastic at moving the ball quick tonight.

A lot more long, quick passes certainly helped too.

I thought Hull were a half decent side on the ball but there's no doubt they are the ideal side for us to play against.
They chased everything down, so were easy to move about and tire. But we did it very well.
Preston will be the opposite, they will train far more without the ball, on shape etc..

I think that’s was the best we have seen Esteve on the ball all season.

It his real weakness and he showed tonight he’s get better in this area

It will be a tough game for us on Saturday, Preston will be looking at stoping Anthony, Foster, Humphreys and Robert’s. We’ll need to have a good game plan. I imagine Heckinbottom and McCall were in the stand last night taking notes.

beddie wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:51 am

It will be a tough game for us on Saturday, Preston will be looking at stoping Anthony, Foster, Humphreys and Robert’s. We’ll need to have a good game plan. I imagine Heckinbottom and McCall were in the stand last night taking notes.

Pretty sure that's the same with every team and every game throughout the country. Opposing teams have people watching who they are playing next. Hull will have no doubt had a plan to try and stop Anthony, Foster, Humpreys and Roberts... easier said than done though clearly.

bobinho wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 12, 2025 11:58 pm

Hulls slow press and inability to read the game made us look like world beaters at this.

We got to their danger areas quicker because we were simply better than them in all departments.

Score says 2-0. In reality the gap between the teams was IMMENSE.

I didn’t think Hull were slow in their press they were just really **** at pressing. They chased shadows for 45 minutes and expended so much energy for absolutely no gain.

Makes a massive difference when the opposition don’t throw themselves to the ground with EVERY challenge.

Darnhill Claret wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 12, 2025 11:53 pm

Following on from last week's game where a few of us highlighted our slight concern, that our poor passing along the back line was limiting our forward momentum.
Tonight against Hull, we were much improved and to my mind it certainly contributed to getting to their end quicker and more chances created.
Well done to all concerned. It definitely put them on the back foot.

The first half was really very good and with a fox in the box we would have scored more goals. Second half we reverted to slower play but even so with Anthony putting some good low crosses into the box, with a natural decent striker we would have scored more. All in all and enjoyable watch with ER's passing and the joy of watching STEVE!!!! and Hannibal and some others.

Hull had won their last three away - at Blackburn, Millwall and Sheffield United - all without conceding a goal. Admittedly it's a new manager with a different style so teams were not sure what to expect but it's still impressive. At home their results are not so good!

A few mistakes were made at the back that could have been damaging but fortunately weren't. Roberts and Egan-Riley mostly.

The difference seemed to be in our tempo once we got it away from the back line. Quite a few passes to Anthony were for him to run onto (instead of just to his feet) and he found/was given the space to do that. His control is often good but sometimes not. One where he tried something a bit ambitious - to control and push it forward at the same time - he over did it and it ran to the goalkeeper. A pity because if that had come off it might have lead to a really good goal. I'm pleased he's trying such things.

Agreed Hipper, not sure he tried to control and push it forward at the same time. I felt it was more the fact that he was running at quite a quick tempo that propelled the ball slightly further than intended on his first touch. Unavoidable and unfortunate really.

Short or long passes, weight and accuracy are all important.