The ACN Match Review: Hull City (a) | OneFootball

How did we play? 

Like the team chasing the playoffs, certainly for the whole of the first half, and arguably parts of the second. We had 70% possession at half time, 65% at full-time, even with our level of threat and intensity eventually fizzling out. 

Thing is, we expected nothing less, right? This is a team that knows what they’re doing, that you know will always be set up properly and will, at the very least, give everything they have. At one point, we were dreading what this season finale was going to look and feel like.

This game, in many ways, perfectly exemplified both the tremendous progress made under Big Phil but also the areas that will need improvement over the summer – and why our miraculous climb up the table hasn’t quite been miraculous enough to sneak into 6th place.

What was the best bit of the game? 

Several sharp, incisive moves where the next pass wasn’t often obvious. A couple more nearly moments for Kellen Fisher – that first Norwich goal may now, sadly, never come. A couple of moments which should’ve led to a clearer chance or shot at goal, but for the ball getting stuck under feet, or being played just ahead or behind its target. And, of course, a very well-created and well-taken goal.

What was the worst bit of the game? 

This is more of a recurring theme of the game than a single moment, but our square pegs in round holes were plain to see. It felt like Big Phil used the opportunity to finalise his summer shopping list. 

No squirrels on the wing this time but Amankwah Forson started on the right, Liam Gibbs finished on the left. Neither were able to deliver any quality into the box, or through a narrow gap. This is where several of our moves die and there simply cannot be a scenario next season where this is the case. I also never see a route to goal when Mathias Kvistgaarden is on, instead of Mo Touré. Our substitutions often make us weaker. 

To give away a penalty immediately after you’ve scored for what looked a pretty clumsy tackle was also far from ideal. Especially inside a stadium which would’ve become nervier and more frustrated had we held a lead for any length of time. Their team had offered nothing up to that point. 

What was the atmosphere like? 

This isn’t a rant or sour grapes or whatever. Quite a few Hull fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle. Nothing has been achieved yet, and you guys certainly enter the playoffs as fourth favourites – but each to their own I guess. 

To come over to our away end and give it the big ‘un, however? And to square up to a couple of our players, instead of celebrating with your own? Piss off.

We sold out our allocation on the final day, purely for the love of the game (and our team). We had nothing to play for. It wasn’t our playoff spot you took. I don’t get it. We’ll be crossing that Humber Bridge again next season.

Hero of the match 

I didn’t expect to see a 10-minute clip of Mark Attanasio as a Canary Caller appear when I got home. While a multi-millionaire doesn’t need praise for “speaking well”, it was refreshing to hear so soon after the dust has settled what the next steps will be and the standards we’re striving for. For a long time, that had become unclear.

Happy to also report that the Dirty Dawgz from my last visit (and review) from Hull are still on the menu! But not the loaded fries? Can’t win ‘em all I guess. 

Summary in five words 

Clement is building a monster.