COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From my seat: Hull (H)
Comments (12) : This game was sewn up in the first half although it took us a good 15 mins to come to grips with the 4-5-1 of Hull and impose our undoubted class in this encounter. Hull with King, Barmby (booed on all occasions) and Mendy trying to make it a three when they could attack had their game plan thrown into dis-array on the 20-min mark when a build-up down the left saw Pienaar and Baines swop passes and from the Baines cross, Fellaini glanced home much to the delight of all assembled.
From that point, Hull strived in a physical sense but meeting a rearguard of Hibbo, Jags, Lescott and Baines ensured Howard was a spectator. We were in no mood to give anything away and and went into 'get what we can when we can' mode. On 25 mins, Pienaar from the right hit a blind cross that had no Blue shirt in attendance. Cahill free down the left crossed for Fellaini to head wide when scoring would have been easier.
A frustrated Hull gave away free-kicks and none was more important than the one 25 yds out on the stroke of half time. Arteta stepped up and smashed a 25-yarder past the stationary keeper and you just knew that was it, all watched it again three times on the big screens and offered Arteta an ovation that would have done justice to a hat trick.
During the opening half, Fellaini had been given a final warning for persistent fouling by the Ref and many wondered during the break whether the manager may sub him or not. No changes as the teams emerge gives us the answer and just a few minutes in we get another answer. Fellaini booked for a soft foul but non the less a foul and under the Ref's totting up procedure a Yellow.
The crowd bayed, many blamed Moyes for not taking him off at half-time but I ask you 10 Yellows by January the 10th suggests to me that the man needs guidance on his approach to the game. Yes, he is only just 21, learning a new language in a new country and playing in a different class of league with its own unique style of play... but, hell ? football is football, fouls are fouls, and although they may be interpreted differently in different countries, players who wish to stride the world stage take this on board and indeed soon know how to play the refs ? no matter what country they are in. Our Mr Fellaini had better learn this pronto or forever be responsible for putting Manager, teamates and fans in the position he has engineered to date. With almost every coach at the club being a defender perhaps a few afternoons exclusive tuition on the wiles of the Prem may be well spent...
After the booking, the game became static with the Blues doing little to add to the scoreline and such was our dominance defence-wise, coupled with the woeful attempts at penetrating football from the visitors, the half dragged somewhat. Hull tried all three subs without changing anything.
On the hour mark Ossie broke with a man either side and with a goal looking a certainty he dallied long enough for Ashbee to dispossess him. Arteta had another free kick chance from similar distance but this one troubled Row kk in the Park End more than the keeper. Big Vic came on for Cahill but did little to suggest he should start in the Derby double header. Ossie shot well over, the whistle went and a pretty regulation three points were gained.
My man of the match was Arteta but I wouldn't argue with anyone nominating Hibbert, Jags, Lescott, Baines or Neville. On the other side, Pienaar seems in poor form at the moment and Big Vic just doesn't look the part for me.
Overall today I thought the manager got it mostly right as these three points were especially important considering the upcoming league games v Liverpool (a), Arsenal (h) and Man Utd (a). As our record against Champions League sides is not the best, it is possible for us to take no points from those games. However, with a fit and in-form squad of those available, a haul of just three points would be great any more than that a bonus.
At todays game I did have a moment of lightheartedness in witnessing their manager Brown strutting the technical area resplendent in the latest Mourinho gear whilst overseeing the doings of a Championship team in Prem clothing. Guess there is nothing like image over substance.
Liverpool in league and cup next and I am as confident as they are. See you there UP THE BLUES.
Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
He spoke about the "massive change" which has come about in the club during the last four years in an OS interview last week and he popped up on MotD last night. It's quite possible that a big money bid or two could come in for him this month. Are the club underlining the ?hands off? message which has already been sent out?
In the grand scheme of things (and probably banking on MF getting a yellow against the Red Shyte in one of two fixtures), perhaps Moyes would rather have the big lad available for the game against the Gooners.
As far as our season is concerned, having the better chance of taking all three points off Arsenal would do us more good than taking 3 of the RS.
All that said it would’ve been nice to have MF for all three fixtures, and see us continue our great run, but his 9 yellows to date made that improbable (as has subsequently proved to be the case).
Yes, DM maybe should have taken him off at half-time but as he has said, he plays to the game he is in and doesn?t think any further. I am still old enough to remember the Alf Ramsey 1970 incident when he took Charlton off with England 2-0 up at half time. Step forward Gerd Muller and the rest is history. So I won?t villify Moyes for that but I hope that he can nurture and bring on the obvious talent that Fellaini is whilst ensuring that his discipline improves.
One of those games when we did enough to win comfortably and no more. Hull were poor in truth - but feisty, I suppose.
I dont know why he is ahead of Jutiewicz and Baxter.
Ok he is an old fashioned type centre forward but he has got to be told, he aint as good as he thinks he is.
Wonder what big Dunc doing the next fortnight? Amagine. I,d put all my Rocky dvd,s in the bin. Sorry.
COYBB
Its about time someone got a real grip with him - even Steve Round says the thing stopping Vic is Vic himself - he’s got to want it more.
He actually reminds me more and more like Amoebi from Newcastle - a sulk of the biggest kind and a bit short up top.
as always a good and balanced report.
I would like to make 2 points about Fellaini.
One, he came with a known record for yellow cards and IMO his clumsiness more than anything else is the reason. I don't think any of his tackles could be called malicious and most were unintentional.
Secondly, he was fouled on a number of occasions without the referee taking any action and mostly got on with the game.
IMO, Hull were the most physical and dirty side I have seen since Allardyce?s Bolton.
As regards Anichebe, I think he is a great talent waiting to happen but I?m sure he is frustrated not getting a full game when the other strikers are all injured.
Agree on Pienaar. I think this is a further reflection of Moyes?s stubbornness and lack of tactical management.
He could give Pienaar a spell on the bench and replace him with one of Kissock, Rodwell, Gosling, Van der Meyde ? depending on opponents & formation. He could certainly have done it against Hull and Macclesfield. But of course he didn?t, because he can?t.
This intransigence has already cost us (the idiotic decision not to replace Fellaini at half time). I do not understand this mentality. It places no pressure on players if they play every game even when plainly off form.
As for Anichebe; I always thought No, then for much of last season I starting to think Just Maybe, or even Yes. But he?s dropped back to a No, although I do think his injury hasn?t helped. I feel SO sorry for James Vaughan.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to Column articles, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 11/01/2009 at 15:35:14
Report abuse