Saturday 16 October 2010

Conclusions from Hull City

Leicester
1-1
Hull City
(HT 1-0)
King 3

Coren 52




  • Sousa going has got them on the ball. It seems we have a little more verve, a greater panache going forward since Sousa's departure. That said, however, there were long stages of the second half where Hull were dominant, last season's Premier League side showing why they were competing in that division. There is still work to do, but we're improving. The Foxes looked good, and Sven could well be the catalyst for change.
  • We're still in the relegation zone. A draw isn't enough: we need wins. Whilst this was always going to be a tough game - a good Hull side lead by a man we know is capable of grinding-out a result was always going to be a fixture to look out for - we should still have more points on the board. Without capitalising on going a goal ahead, we are never going to progress up the league.
  • We still need a striker. Eriksson has already done a terrific job in identifying our defensive weaknesses and bringing-in two quality players - quality players that understand this league - to help improve that situation. Next, he needs to either get the likes of Fryatt and Waghorn scoring at will or he needs to get a goal scorer signed-up on loan.



Winners
Kyle Naughton and Curtis Davies
For a debut in a new, aggressive league, the new boys done good. Naughton had a solid game and Davies, by far the best player on the pitch throughout, proved why he was signed by Aston Villa for no less than £8 million a few seasons ago. They both showed why the Foxes have been struggling this season - the Portuguese players bought in by Sousa may well have been glamorous, but nurturing English talent is key at this level and Sven knows it.

Sven Goran Eriksson
To have all the pressure of a name and a history on your shoulders and be as cool as Sven was on the touchline today proves the man he is. A truly knowledgeable football man (EDIT: Just listened to the BBC Leicester interview with him, the man talks so much sense!), Sven has made in Davies and Naughton two canny loan signings and fitted them into a team that we all know is highly capable at this level. It wasn't the goal-fest he and the fans wanted, indeed Hull perhaps edged the game, but it is the very fact that Hull showed their quality and didn't win that should give Leicester City fans hope for the future.

Andy King
The young lad scored again after playing a tough ninety minutes for Wales in their loss to Switzerland in mid-week. If we're not careful, the Premier League clubs are going to come knocking very soon.

Bruno Berner
The Swiss had a great game, apparently encouraged to go forward and have the odd pop at goal by the new loanees who had a similarly positive impact. Back to his professional best.

Jack Hobbs
Like Berner, Hobbs has had an off start to the season. Whether it was a personality clash with Sousa or a lack of fitness, for whatever reason he hasn't been half the excellent player he's been for the past two seasons. Hopefully this is a signal he's back on the right track.



Losers
Chris Weale
For the club's Number One to make his return from injury under a new manager and make an error is not the best first impression to give. Weale, however, should know his position is safe if he can stay fit - he is a class above Logan and Ikeme.

Howard, Waghorn and Gallagher
For three strikers to fail to score in a match in which they all start is one thing. For three strikers who have been fit and available for the majority of the season but who have scored just three goals between them is another matter entirely. The impact of our strikers at present is minimal - Fryatt is our top scorer but only thanks to goals in the League Cup - and it seems that, even with the popular signing of hard-working Waghorn, a goal scorer is still needed for the Foxes to proceed.

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