Hull City v Brighton: Tigers happy to be promotion-race underdogs, says Barmby
NICK Barmby is content to see Hull City regarded as underdogs in the Championship promotion race and hopes his side flourish away from the spotlight.
The Tigers welcome Brighton to the KC Stadium tonight aiming to capitalise on their game in hand with a move back into the play-off places.
-
Off the radar: Nick Barmby hopes Hull City can flourish away from the spotlight.
Despite a run of five league games unbeaten, a sequence that has not seen City leak a single goal since January 2, the in-form Tigers remain unfancied by most pundits and bookmakers.
But that's not a concern to Barmby, and he believes the subtle progress of his side can bring big returns in the campaign's final third.
"The standards they've set, they can go as far as they want to go with the ability here," said Barmby.
"The one thing that I'll always stress is the need to keep their feet on the ground and keep listening and learning.
"For us, the good thing is that nobody speaks about us at all. We like it that way.
"You can speak about all the teams above us as much as you want. We'll go about our business the way we do and keep under the radar.
"I'm sure people will eventually start talking about us if we keep up our run, but we'll only ever be concerned about ourselves."
City are enjoying their longest unbeaten sequence in the league since late October, but a 0-0 draw at Birmingham eight days ago sees them eyeing a 104-year club record tonight.
Not since 1908 have the Tigers managed six consecutive clean-sheets and that feat would be equalled with another shut-out against the Seagulls.
Barmby played down the impending record, but says his side take great pride in their defensive unity.
"It is a very good achievement, especially in this league," he said.
"They're a bunch who have a lot of pride in their performances, both in keeping clean-sheets and scoring goals.
"The back five have been very strong and settled but it's everyone. You look at the closing down from the front lads and the midfield lads and it's spot on.
"It's pleasing but it's only half done. We've still got a very big job to do."
Brighton arrive at the KC on the back of a 6-1 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool on Sunday and dismissing reports that boss Gus Poyet is a managerial target for Wolves.
The Seagulls, unbeaten in the league in 2012, could leap-frog City with a win tonight and Barmby is aware of their ability.
"They went through a bit of a sticky period in November and December where they tailed off, but they've come back well," he added.
"They're only a point behind us and unbeaten in the Championship this year. It's a difficult game."
31 Comments
View all
by citysoskeeper
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:27AM
“i was on radio blunderside last night and the presenter even stated nb will stick with what he has...play oli and bring in a loan striker....deaf ears! i think so......”
by seasidehcfc
Thursday, February 23 2012, 8:50AM
“Mckenna my man of the match also....
Matty Fryatt had a good games as did Cameron Stewart..
To be honest everyone had a decent game....”
by seasidehcfc
Thursday, February 23 2012, 7:17AM
“No worries Elletiger plenty more games to come. i only found out late on that i was going to the game... First one since i met up with Ric [ West Ham i think ]
Good game with City having the best chances to score but the luck was not with us. Nothing to do with a lack of skill as plenty was shown tonight.
had a great time as i allways do win lose or draw.
have booked my seat on the coach for the rest of the season so fingers crossed i wont miss another home game and will be there to cheer City on to the play offs.
:-)”
by EastHullchav
Thursday, February 23 2012, 6:20AM
“Cairney instead of Olofinjana - bizarre
King not used again, use him or send him back to Utd.
Somebody mentioned the 3-0 against Bristol, Bristol are by far the worst team in the division.
A decent striker we'd be in the Top 2.
I feel for the defenders and holding midfielder's who are playing exceptionally well.
And Koren's goals.
But Stewart/Brady/Mclean and Fryatt are not doing enough- score some goals for Gods sake!”
by Britincal2010
Thursday, February 23 2012, 1:18AM
“City might as well loan Olofinjana out again because they obviously have no intention of giving him a game and he could be scoring goals for another Championship team like Cardiff once more. We obviously don't need his goals because five in nine games shows how effective our midfield and strikers are. I keep hearing the same story about how we coulda, shoulda and woulda but all the possession and missed chances count for nothing and if you don't score you don't deserve to win.”
by SollyAtwell
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 11:23PM
“"Tigers happy to be promotion-race underdogs"
That's ok then better get used to it 'cause that's all we'll be. keeping clean sheets is one thing. You could have 46 in a season but it wouldn't get you promoted (46 0-0 draws)”
by Elletiger
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:59PM
“Oh seaside! Only just read your post now, would have loved come see you, we were there quite early too :( glad you got there, did you enjoy the game? I thought it was a great game, and so so close to a goal at times. I see Paul McKenna had his identical twin playing again! Well deserved motm. See you next time seaside x”
by SnothillBaz
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:41PM
“Nice neat passing football, well played, but Nick will not admit there is not a decent striker other than Fryatt in the building. It's not right that Fryatt has all the pressure and must be effecting him.
The biggest crime is that if we don't go up to the prem (not that I'm that fussed about going up) is that we will lose the likes of Rossy, Chester, Hobbs and maybe others to bigger clubs.
Nick should not be agressive to the media, like he was with Burnsie on the radio, he should channel his aggression into getting a goalscorer in.”
by citysoskeeper
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:14PM
“cant score...wont score....”
by JH1311
Wednesday, February 22 2012, 10:07PM
“oh shut up with the we cant score, we have one 0-0 and there's neg heads again. people are forgetting we won 3-0 last match, just support your club so we can keep going up the league. we gained a point and still havent conceded with mannone so stick with the positives.”