To Hull and back!

Well the usual bus load of Scots based Hammers for this trip (personally my first of the season) was reduced to Two Scots and two Scots based Cockneys in a Silver Ford Focus and I was the last pick up point in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire after Scotty (no not the Star Trek one) made an early start to from Glasgow to Kilmarnock firstly to pick up Mark who could not get the train to Scotlands former city of culture as the station was shut! Yes public transport here is dire. Back to Glasgow to pick up fellow Cockney Stephen and then on to me outside McDonalds with my Latte in hand. The trip not hampered by regular stops for the loo due to excessive consumption of alcohol but rain did somewhat blight the journey. We arrived in Hull parked in Prospect car park and made our way to the Admiral of the Humber, on our way we discovered that obviously to become the City of Culture requires a Debenhams, House of Fraser, a tarted up train station, a war memorial and a Chicken George fast (I use the word loosely) food outlet. Met up with Aycliffe and lil Aycliffe in the Admiral and not a bad boozer (well been in worse) and yes Aycliffe and Son looking well folks. Well off to anther boozer where we were snapped with our very own "Full Kit W*anker" in his bright orange goalie strip and jazz hands. Not the usual atmosphere but ok. We got to the KCOM without any hassle and looked forward to the game.... Both teams started nervy and as was discussed before the game we were somewhat concerned about Snoddy and Fegs. Both sides disjointed but we started to get a grip and lo and behold a super cross from Cresswell and Carroll brought down the ball and superbly slotted home. Hull were on their knees at this stage fans and team alike heads dropped and they were for the taking. While we put crosses in the box we had no one to put the chances away! Jermaine Defoe haters beware cos he would have pounced on at least to of them and put the game to bed. Second half and instead of going in for the kill we sat back (a la Big Sam style) invited pressure and lo and behold Hull score via a full back who has never scored for them (ever) Substitutions made but skipper Nobes remained on the bench? Cress came off as did Snoddy and on came Masuaku and Fernandes. Snodgrass was ineffective as he has been and does not like to take players on and despite playing on his preferred left kept passing to Cress. Feghouli did little to impress but did try! though he would not be my first pick. Fonte is not settling as well as hoped Collins did well enough but our defences' positional play and marking is poor. Our two stand outs on the day were Lanzini and Carroll who covered practically every blade of grass. If and that is a big IF I could have changed anything about yesterdays' game whilst it was in progress is from 5 mins after the break I would have put Noble on for Snodgrass and Fernandes for Feghouli, were were missing urgency and purpose and Noble can at least spot a pass! but 5 mins remaining we concede again and our worst fears realised! Calleri was sent on and we all knew we were getting nothing.
So final whistle and back to the car (20 min or so walk) Mark and Stephen into to Chicken George whilst Scotty (still not the Star Trek one) and I waited patiently! On the way home we analysed the game and yep like most came to the same conclusions.... defence needs sorted, Snodgrass and Feghouli are not up to the task and we really did miss Noble, Obiang and an out and out striker! Well around 10pm I got dropped off in Hamilton found my car locked in the car park (which closed at 9pm doh!) ...ahem managed to get it out and slip off home only to be welcomed by the little woman who greeted me with "Oh you're back earlier than expected" followed by "I see you lost"! as if I needed reminding! But I will be at the LS next week for Swansea more in hope than expectation! Despite Saturday's defeat I enjoyed my day, supporting my club .. it's what I do, head up and go again.