Taylor forces Hull to face reality
Three successive defeats have given high-riding Hull something of a reality check. While it was always likely that facing Chelsea and Manchester United in the space of four days would prove too demanding, this result and performance were disappointing.
It was particularly the case for manager Phil Brown, who had banked on a ‘back to basics’ approach steadying the ship against his old team. Instead, Bolton were resilient throughout, took the lead through Matt Taylor and protected Authentic Prada Bags Online Singapore it with tenacious defending, highlighted by magnificent work from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Gary Megson’s side thus maintained the momentum of their victory over Manchester City, and are suddenly out of the bottom three and up to ninth, with a new-found confidence to take into the winter slog.
Jaaskelainen, 33, was mobbed by his team-mates at the final whistle in a manner that spoke volumes for the saves he made to frustrate the home side when they finally began to play with the sort of conviction that has taken the Premier League by surprise.
‘He is a world-class goalkeeper and played a blinder,’ Brown said. ‘I have a lot of admiration for him. It was one of those days for us.
‘I couldn’t fault the players for their spirit and commitment in the second half. But we didn’t do enough in the first period. Our usual tempo and passing just wasn’t there and that was a problem.’
Megson said: ‘Our aim was to cement what we did against Manchester City, and we achieved it with a lot of effort and honesty. Now we want to improve further.’
Even though they were below par, Hull could have been in control by half-time. From Geovanni’s cross, Marlon King cleverly guided the ball against the face of the crossbar. Daniel Cousin’s header also went close.
Bolton threatened little until Ricardo Gardner lifted his side with a surging run shortly after the restart, from which they took the lead. The ball eventually fell to Taylor and, although there was no great power behind his volley, it went through a crowd of players and finished just inside the post.
Brown reacted by bringing on Bernard Mendy for Cousin and pushing Geovanni forward alongside King. Jaaskelainen turned aside Geovanni’s fierce free-kick after Fabrice Muamba fouled Dean Marney just outside the area, and made an even better save to deny Geovanni from five yards before keeping out Michael Turner on the rebound.
Substitute Ebi Smolarek threatened to stretch Bolton’s lead with one excellent run and shot, but for the most part it was backs to the wall for the visitors.
THE FANS’ PLAYER RATINGS AND VERDICT
Rick Skelton, HullCityOnline.com It’s the worst game we’ve seen so far. We haven’t played like that for quite a while. The ball wasn’t on the floor a lot C we came down to their level, particularly in the first Authentic Bicester Village Prada Refund Prada Fairy Bag For Sale half. But their goal woke us up. We made a couple of changes, with Mendy C who’s a lunatic, but I like him C having a lot of joy down the right. We showed more quality and patience prada, stopped trying to push the ball forward too early and forced about five saves out of Jaaskelainen. We shouldn’t have come out with nothing, as we were the only team who were attacking. We definitely need to stick to playing football, keeping the ball on the floor. Zayatte was excellent, despite Davies’s physicality; he’s the best buy anybody’s made this season.
The fan’s player ratings Myhill 7; McShane 7; Turner 6, Zayatte 8, Dawson 7 (Ricketts Are Prada Mens Shoes Worth It 6); Marney 6, Alex Pradas Quiles Ashbee 6, Boateng Authentic Prada Bag For Sale Ph 5 (Folan 5); Geovanni 7; King 6, Cousin 7 (Mendy 7)
Shaun O’Gara, Supporters’ club We got the right result, though we were lucky and have to thank Jaaskelainen for keeping us in the game. He made three world-class saves to keep Hull out in the last 15 minutes. Two back-to-back wins give us something to build on, but we lack creativity and firepower up front. We lost Campo, Stelios and Diouf in the summer, so we’re very functional now and must buy some quality in midfield in January. The club again laid on free coaches for the fans C 27 this time C and deserve credit for trying to win the fans over. Shame the same can’t be said for Mr Megson, who’s never been to any fans’ meetings. Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Online Shopping Agatha Ruiz Dela Apertura Outlet Prada Montevarchi Prada Shoes Sale If he engaged with us he might get an easier ride. Phil Brown, meanwhile, got a tremendous reception from the Bolton fans.
The fan’s player ratings Jaaskelainen 10; Steinsson 7, Authentic Prada Bags For Cheap Cahill 8, O’Brien 8, Samuel 8; Taylor 7, Muamba 6, McCann 7, Gardner 6; Elmander 6 (Smolarek 6); Davies 6
To take part in the Fans’ Verdict, email fans@observer.co.uk
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