HULL CITY: There's even more to come
HULL City striker Jozy Altidore has promised to keep his red-hot run of form going after finally finding his feet in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old striker grabbed his first league goal in English football as the Tigers eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 win over Manchester City.
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Jozy Altidore celebrates his first Premier League goal in 2-1 win over Man City
Altidore's sweet strike capped a fine individual performance and provided evidence that a frustrating loan from Spanish side Villarreal is coming good.
The US star admits his first year in the Premier League has been a baptism of fire, but hopes he has now turned the corner.
"The speed and the pace is huge," he said. "I feel like I'm finally getting there and hopefully I can keep it going."
"It takes time to adjust, especially when you are a young player. It is not really the style which has been hard to come to terms with, more that it is a very fast league, you have to read it and understand it."
Despite enjoying an encouraging start to his City career – including a goal against Southend in his first start – Altidore went 17 top-flight games without a goal.
Ending his wait with a memorable strike to help sink the world's richest club, the rookie insists the barren spell had not been playing on his mind.
"The main goal all along has been to keep Hull City in the Premier League and you have to do that by any means," he said.
"Not scoring in the Premier League was not playing on my mind. I hadn't really been thinking about it.
"It is a challenge to play here and you have to keep it in perspective."
Altidore's goal and a George Boateng strike were enough to see the Tigers find their first win of 2010 on Saturday and climb clear of the relegation zone.
Taking four points from Chelsea and Manchester City inside the last week, Phil Brown's men have given their survival hopes a huge shot in the arm.
Now, Altidore believes new levels of confidence are bringing precious returns.
"It was one of our better team performances," he said. "We started well and that allowed a lot of individuals to show off their skills. It gives us confidence.
"It was another hard game. I don't think either Manchester City or Chelsea were easy games but we put in 100 per cent effort.
"We wanted to attack them through the centre. Having two big guys up front, we thought we could cause them problems and we did."
A crucial period of games continues with a trip to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night, before facing West Ham.
Keen to avoid complacency, Altidore stressed City cannot take their foot off the pedal.
He added: "We have shown we can stay here but that is not enough. We have to keep putting in the performances week-in and week-out. That will give us a chance."
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by Mark, Hull
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 7:51PM
“James and Jez, have you been going to City long enough to have experienced proper football crowds, or just arrived with your rugs and thermos flasks at the KC? No wonder it is hard getting an atosphere going with people lie you in the stadium. Banter and insults are part of the game.Anything to put the opposition off and help your club. Or do you go to enthuse about the opposition players, sitting there quietly and tutting at any chavs, as you call them, who have the temerity to stand up and sing?
As for being like Liverpool fans, they have some of the most foul-mouthed, vicious fans going. All this stuff about their marvellous fans is one of the big myths of football. Ask the european cities which have been pillaged by them over the years or listen to some of the chants when they play the likes of Man Utd.”
by dl, east hull
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 5:29PM
“Terry King, Germany - Terry my mate has always supported Man Ure and in his opinion Fergie hasn't been a good manager - just a lucky one, so it appears you can't please all the people all of the time ( or some of the people at any time Terry!)”
by Ric, Glasgow
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 1:00PM
“Bob Hull 11.03.Some people in Hull must be easily offended these days!!.As a poster pointed out yesterday,some people have commitments ie;work etc. I personally have had to leave matches early(5-10 minutes in some cases) to get to the railway station to catch a train,simply because the price of that train was £40 or £50 cheaper than the following one.It doesn't constitute bad manners or a lack of support,it constitutes common sense& prudence sometimes.”
by SuitedandBooted, Hull
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 12:53PM
“To all those whinging about the Bridge baiting, go and cry somewhere else cos none of you deserve to be on the terraces. Why don't you try cricket or egg chasing or some other mediocre minority sport?”
by Brian Mead, Perth, Australia.
Tuesday, February 09 2010, 12:37PM
“Well done to Hull.
The relegation battle is engrossing. With further time / years in the Premier League - Hull FC will earn credibilty and be able to attract more class players and sponsorship. The strong team spirit shows through and should lead to further wins during the rest of the season.”