Hull City's Ahmed Fathi frustrated on bench as Al-Ahly return to competitive football

“Fair enough BradleyM,I take your point,and having seen his poise on the ball at Crystal Palace I too find his continued omission a bit frustrating.I can only surmise that he was way short of fitness on arrival,and that Steve Bruce is well aware that he has a major asset on his hands.
I am almost certain he will feature soon,otherwise his presence will indeed have been waste.The likes of Alex Bruce are clearly not in his class if that kind of holding role is the manager's intention for him,although I can't be alone in wondering how he's going to be used,as he seems very versatile according to our Egyptian correspondents! Here's hoping we see what a class act he is!”

“All of you guys coming hard on Fathi are full of **** as we call it here in the US - Rubbish as you call it in the UK. First, Fathi did not ask Bruce or City to come to the club. He was asked by the Hull City Management to come with Gedo to play for City, not sit on the bench. This is an Egypt international player with ton of caps under his belt and won 3 back to back African titles for Egypt and for his club Al-Ahly. This is ridiculous - cancel the guy's loan and send him back to his club which resumed play in the Egyptian league and is in dire need of him, as well as the Egyptian national team which is getting ready to play a World Cup qualifier. As to talking to the media or not, this is his business, not the club's or the fans. He is not a little kid and he can speak his mind whenever and to whomever he wishes to do so. If the club does not like, then they MUST send him back ASAP or give him the respect the starting spot on the first team like you promised him; if you don't like then send him back; he has no interest in sitting on the bench. Do the right thing.

M. Bradley”

“Thing is fellow posters...Carney and others are not competing directly for Bruce Jnrs position! Still the side may have to switch to 442...or 44-1-1...in the near future, if we lose a player or two. Fathi at right back/ Rosenior left back? Might be no bad thing as a plan B, Steve, as some of the better managers seem to have sussed us a bit...Some need to cool their Bruce is a god fervour until we're promoted! In with a big chance if we can be consistent. UTT!”

“A warmer climes player- he should be devestating in the very near future. Not a cold weather bog player - have a to be tad patient tiger, trust in crafty Brucie and you will earn your stripes.

UTT”

“He needs to be patient and wait for his chance and take it when it comes. We have had a mainly settled team with most members justifying their place. We now have McShane injured we have players on international duty who may come back injured. Koren isn't covering himself in glory and we have three fixtures in a week so the team may need refreshing. His opportunity could come very quickly and the same could be said about other such as Cairney who was MOM in the last reserve game. It is frustrating to have to wait and we don't know if he is better than those in the team but Bruce will having seen him regularly in training and in the manager I trust.
On a different topic wouldn't it be good to see the players supporting the supporters and making say a statement condemning the restrictions placed on honest law abiding supporters.”

“It is hugely frustrating being on the sidelines and wanting to play and not getting the chance. Players that have been brought in to the squad have been given chances to play in the first team and have started matches. City are in an extremely good league position at the moment. However only the very die hard optimist would say that City are playing faultless football at the moment. Arguably it is in the midfield area where faults are often made and Fathi is a midfield player. When he was brought on in the match against Palace I thought he did well. Steve Bruce has had chances to play him more often as a substitute but not taken them. If he is needed because players miss games because of suspensions he would be more effective if he had played more. As has been said it is Steve Bruce who is ultimately responsible for team selection and he has been a brilliant manager for City. I just hope he isn't missing an opportunity by not playing a player who could be a great asset to the team. As an aside it isn't a very sensible to talk to the press at City without talking to the manager and owners first as Nick B found out to his cost!”

“Keep the Faith Fathi ;-) Your turn is coming, injuries, suspensions looming!”

“I'm with JH1311 on this one.

Steve Bruce ultimately picks the team. He can't pick Fathi if he feels other players are better suited in whatever position. Indeed if something is working (as it has been virtually season long) it doesn't need fixing. Fathi is clearly doing the Grady in training but he needs to continue to do so, and not whine to the press about not playing! Gedo got his opportunity quicker because our lack of goals were apparent! He took his chances and thus finds himself in the team! Unfortunately there are so many players in the positions that Fathi can cover who have been, in the main, faultless. As JH1311 says his chance may well come soon and if it does he better make sure he takes it, because there are others in exactly the same situation as him. Patience mr Fathi, keep working hard and keep your mouth shut for the time being.”

“City should have done the decent thing , Bruce didnt want him (only Gedo), so they should have left him at home. Now as proven , Brucie won t play him. Will we ever get to see ( as so many have said) he is better than Elmo and Gedo.
Cancel his loan and let him go home (if its possible) , dont let his ability go to waste , or play him.”

“Sorry Fathi but Bruce decides the team and it rests with him whether or not you play, not the media or the fans. you may well get your chance soon, Bruce and Meyler are close to suspensions and Mcshane is injured so we'll see.

I can imagine it must be frustrating to see your friends playing while you are on the bench working your socks off in training and reserve game, but Cairney works hard, Stewart works hard and big Nick works hard and they've not said anything. if Bruce thinks you deserve a place in this mighty squad you better hope you grab it by the horns cause if not there was be others waiting for their turn on the rollercoaster.

UTT!!”