Hull match thread

[Mostar]

Aqualani looks better and better with each pre-season game; I'd quite like to see a midfield five of:

Downing -- Aqualani -- Suarez

----- Adam ------- Lucas -----

On the opening game of the season, especially if Gerrard is struggling for match fitness.

Wash looks lethargic in all he does and just seems a yard off of *everything*.
Flanagan is aces; desire, commitment, confidence - he oozes it all.
Carroll was unlucky not to get on the score sheet, it's only a matter of time.
Henderson looks quality. One touch control and out of his feet, the next a pass. He also has great vision.

As much as I'd like to see him in the starting lineup I think Kenny will feature Hendo, which is why he played him in the central role rather than on the right side.

I do agree Aquilani has been the most impressive player in the pre-season thus far.

[kris90210]

I think a lot of people are expecting Carroll to come in and be the finished article right away - totally understandable considering the price we paid for him (not to mention the player he replaced). He's still a young guy - he will get better and better. It might be a year or two before he starts realising his potential.

[Cormack74]

Why does John Bradley always refer to Poulsen as Christie-Anne rather than Christian.

I think Bradley generally does a fair job but this drives me bonkers.

[little dave hedgehog]

the danish pronunciation is something like "kresten" as well which makes it more baffling.

[red g]

I think a lot of people are expecting Carroll to come in and be the finished article right away - totally understandable considering the price we paid for him (not to mention the player he replaced). He's still a young guy - he will get better and better. It might be a year or two before he starts realising his potential.

I dont expect a finished article but I do expect 20+ goals.

[Muddled]

I agree, we need to move our best player and one of the best strikers in the world, out wide, to accommodate Aquilani.

He drifted to the left last season, I think he's got enough ability to drift to the right to accomodate an £18.5m signing.

Or would you prefer me to type:

Suarez -- Aqualani -- Kuyt

But then I'm moving our best player and one of the best strikers in the world, out wide, to accommodate Aquilani.

[Cormack74]

Think Downing could be very important this season but less sure about Adam. If it was between him and AA, on the evidence of pre-season (yes I know) I'd pick Aqua every time.

[kris90210]

I dont expect a finished article but I do expect 20+ goals.

Can't tell if you're serious or not. If you're scoring 20+ goals in todays premiership then you're the finished article

[Mostar]

Can't tell if you're serious or not. If you're scoring 20+ goals in todays premiership then you're the finished article

In fairness he scored 13 goals in 26 PL games he played last year and with the support he'll have with us he should do better next year.

[kris90210]

In fairness he scored 13 goals in 26 PL games he played last year and with the support he'll have with us he should do better next year.

Yep, fair point

[Rich]

Just watched the second half. Thought there was some promising stuff actually.

Carroll looks fitter and more mobile than we saw him for us last season.

[Arn]

I think the pre-season games so far show how important Reina is for us. Our defence fall to pieces as soon as he isn't playing. Happened more or less every time the last few years and probably why we go out so early in the CC almost every year when he isn't playing.

The players are used to have him as an option to solve a dangerous situation and someone they can pass the ball back to without any problem. Now they don't trust the keeper and panics instead. A hoof instead of pass back to Reina as it would have been if he played.

[BigChief]

Carroll is deceptively intelligent. I was dreading watching the repeat after reading the 'long predictable ball' theories on here in the match thread. But the long balls were actually well placed passes into space, and they were only made because Carroll could a) keep himself onside most times (you watching Ngog?) and b) have the vision to run into those spaces before the defenders catch on.

The fact he can actually header the ball as hard as he kicks it just a bonus, not the end all of his game.

[Mostar]

If anyone missed the match and needs links (2 files only) to download the match just send me PM.

[Lecter]

Aqualani looks better and better with each pre-season game; I'd quite like to see a midfield five of:

Downing -- Aqualani -- Suarez

----- Adam ------- Lucas -----

On the opening game of the season, especially if Gerrard is struggling for match fitness.

Wash looks lethargic in all he does and just seems a yard off of *everything*.
Flanagan is aces; desire, commitment, confidence - he oozes it all.
Carroll was unlucky not to get on the score sheet, it's only a matter of time.
Henderson looks quality. One touch control and out of his feet, the next a pass. He also has great vision.

Thought Aquilani was poor yesterday