22 Aug 2026 13:18:47
I did say earlier in the week that Hull could cause a few issues for us.
"We have Hull on Saturday, and I think it might be a slightly trickier match than most fans give it credit for. Yes, they are a promoted side, but they are in the league on merit, and you are only as good as your last game, which for us wasn't great.
A theme of pre-season has been our susceptibility to conceding from set-pieces and crosses into the box.
With MdL out and with Casemiro moving on, we don't have much aerial dominance in the side beyond Maguire (although Yoro did well against Leeds in the air).
I mention this as crosses and set-pieces were a real strength of Hull last season, with nearly 45% of their goals coming from crosses and set-pieces.
This means Hull's biggest strength is also our biggest weakness. I think we might have to rely on outscoring Hull on Saturday, as it seems likely they will get a goal or two from set-pieces or from crosses. We will likely need to score 2 or 3 goals at least to ensure the win.
Dropped points, or even a loss, especially one that highlights our biggest weakness, would not be a good start to the league. "
Posted on the 17th.
22 Aug 2026 13:59:46
Pretty damning that both our new midfielders got hooked at the same time after being useless. Not a great start.
22 Aug 2026 14:35:30
I will add Shappy.
"14 Aug 2026 13:33:35
Sorry, one must not criticise our beloved owners, or flag that it takes time to integrate players, and, given every point is vital, that we are in effect taking Hull and Ipswich for granted. Or that Carrick is being sent into the start of the season without the strength even he is asking for."
22 Aug 2026 14:39:40
100% correct, Shappy.
They looked like a team that's been practising together for 3 months. While our squad got together for the 1st time on Thursday night. So many incomplete passes, so many bad first touches. Nothing gelled.
Lots of hard work ahead.
22 Aug 2026 14:44:10
Who said we need a second striker... Looks more important than LB at the moment.
22 Aug 2026 14:47:20
Hull were better in every regard. Literally everything. If you could pick a combined best XI from the game, it would basically be the Hull team.
I didn't think they'd be pushovers, but we knew the packed stadium of a newly-promoted side on opening day would be like an extra man for them, not that they needed one.
Onto another 'easy' fixture next week, lol, but more optimistic for that one at OT.
22 Aug 2026 15:08:08
Key,
Been screaming about a second striker for weeks.