Frågestund med Mark Freelance
Innan säsongen började så ställde jag frågor till engelska Hull-supportern Mark Freelance angående den kommande säsongen. Halva säsongen har spelats och det är nu dags för en uppföljning! Jag väljer att publicera hela "intervjun" på engelska, då det blir som att kolla på en dubbad film vid en översättning, inte alls bra med andra ord. Jag kommer att publicera ytterligare en intervju med en engelsk Hull-supporter inom kort.
1: How has the season been so far in your point of view? Have we played worse or better than expected?
At the beginning of the season I was fairly confident that with the squad we had we could do ok, it became a sudden reality after about 5 games that we had no attacking prowess at all. I started to panic. We had a succession of games where we struggled to rattle up a shot on target let alone a goal and was left watching mind numbing keep ball in our own half looking completely clueless. We turned in a couple of truly diabolical performances, some of the worst I have ever seen at the KC Stadium, but to be fair, we have managed to turn it around, what a difference a few strikers, and wiping out 40 Million pounds worth of debt will do. I have got a bit of faith in the manager at the moment; a month ago I really wasn’t sure.
2: Which game has been Hulls best/worst performance?
The best performance for me would have to be against Bristol City, they looked a tidy side and to be fair to us we dispatched them with an element of ease with a brace from Jay Simpson at a time when I wondered if he would ever score. Worst on the other hand is difficult to judge, Millwall early on was fairly poor as was the home draw against Watford, but there is a particular indignation about the embarrassing 1-0 loss to local rivals Scunthorpe who are nothing more than a glorified Sunday league side who barely scrape in 5000 fans on a good day at Glandford Park so the merit will have to go to that for me.
3: Do you still think that Ian Ashbee is your key player? If not, who?
After having a short spell out of the side, Ian found himself coming back in as the Tigers started picking up points, there is no coincidence in that for me, he put In arguably one of his best ever performances against Bristol he was just a class act. However, Key is the pivotal word if we want to push on we need a goal threat and Ash is not that, the introduction of Cameron Stewart and Matty Fryatt is significant and as these two rack up the games any success this season will no doubt be affected significantly by the pair.
4: Are you still pleased with Nigel Pearson as coach?
In short, Yes. He had a hard job with a poor team and has started to make some good signings, things are looking up and he has stopped been such a miserable sod on the radio.
5: What are your thoughts about Jimmy Bullard now? Before the season you wanted him "of the wage bill and out of the door as soon as possible"
Shall I start eating my humble pie? It’s a difficult one, we have had £40 Million worth of debt wiped out so financially things are a little different. Now no longer in financial dire states it’s no longer for me to worry about such things as our future and if we can afford to keep him then as long as Mr Allam is happy to pay his wages that is ok. That been said, I wouldn’t be too surprised if he slipped out the door on the last day of the transfer window, or if he got another long term injury. He isn’t a key player in my eyes, more a luxury so whatever will be will be I suppose.
6: Which player has been our best signing/loan?
Cameron Stewart without a doubt. The Young lad on loan from Manchester United is in a class of his own. Unbelievable pace, good control and vision and causes horror in the oppositions defence. Great player, quality signing.
7: Before the season you thought that it was Sheffield Uniteds turn to win the Championship. I guess you want to change that prediction?
Well what do I know; this is why I don’t bet on such things. Sheffield United is a massive club as are Sheffield Wednesday and it will be a great shame if they both find themselves in league one next season. I don’t know what on earth went wrong there, well… I do, Gary Speed, never a great manager the fans didn’t want him so he went off to manage his national side and where has that left them. I would imagine they will scrape survival though, surely they can’t go down can they?
8: Before the season kicked of you mentioned our promosing youth system. How come Cairney, Copper and Cullen havent got a "break-through"?
Well Cairney is currently out with a burnt face after an accident involving a towel, a sink full of hot water and a bad cold. All apparently on new year’s eve, somehow I think we are getting a bit of spin with this story. He had a good run in the Premiership and played a little towards the beginning of the season, I just think with the likes of Korren, Bullard Ashbee and others in front of him, he will struggle to break into the side, but I expect to see him again this season for sure. Cullen didn’t look too bad but clearly just isn’t up to playing at this level yet, and as for Cooper, who knows, we haven’t seen him?
9: How come our results away has been better than our results at the KC Stadium?
At home we are expected to press on and attack, not so much away, we can sit back and take our chances on the counter attack when they come, I think it suits us better. I do expect home form to pick up though I think we have just had a rough patch.
10: Final question! Will Hull be able to reach the play-offs or will at take some more time? What do we have to improve for the future?
We have had a lot of player on loan that are not on the books full time, we need to start to build a sustainable squad for the future as the likes of Duke, Dawson, Barmby and Ash haven’t got that many years left in the tank. However, this season, if we can tighten up at the back and start creating chances, we have a real shout at going for the play-offs. It’s a competitive league though, so don’t be surprised if we just miss out by a point or two.
I thank you Mark, for once again taking your time to answer some of my questions! It is always intresting to read your opionions!
