PETER SWAN COLUMN: Baptism of fire for Hull City defenders
MAIL pundit Peter Swan believes the Tigers are on a hiding to nothing when they visit Cardiff – and that it's a baptism of fire for their new centre-half pairing.
Nigel Pearson is set to partner Liam Cooper with Anthony Gerrard for Saturday's trip to South Wales.
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And writing in today's Mail, Swanny says: "It's not an ideal game to be blooding a new centre-half partnership but that's what Nigel Pearson will be doing.
"I think fans would rather see two keen youngsters rather than dispirited players, which was what Anthony Gardner and Kamil Zayatte had become this season.
"Relegation seemed to have affected them and Pearson has made the right decision in getting them out of the club, if their body language was anything to go by.
"Zayatte's performance at Doncaster was particularly disappointing and that must have been the last straw for the Tigers.
"How players react to relegation is always going to be down to the professional concerned but I would have thought pride would dictate you wanted to be back in the top flight as soon as possible.
"I'd seen little in Zayatte to indicate that that was the case.
"Neither Zayatte not Gardner looked particularly interested in being at City so it's best they're playing their football elsewhere."
Read more of Swanny's hard-hitting column in today's Mail.
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by Lambrettaman, Hong Kong
Friday, September 10 2010, 11:14AM
“Is it raining in King Kong too ? Geo. Driff, Bit damp here.
Nope, it's 30 degrees and 80-90% humidity, it's not nice.
I think a day sat outside the pub in Knutsford Terrace is in order for tomorrow!”
by Geo. Driff, Still on Relegation Road ?
Friday, September 10 2010, 8:00AM
“Richard "Cooper and Gerrard any day of the week" Agreed we couldn't do much worse than Zay/Gard so far this season, but a bit of caution urged please. Cooper was very poor at Donny and nobody here knows Gerrard - seems he is grossly overweight like Bull -they are at the rear of everything in training - seems he has a history of clubbing, etc so he'll settle in well here.
"Youth is the key with a touch of experience in Ashbee and Dawson." you say. Agreed youth is the future but these 2 have also had poor seasons. Ash spends all his time screaming at everyone - no thanks . But it has to be the right blend.
I have to trust Nige to get that blend right, and soon. Madam P at the fans forum said Nige is the best thing since sliced bread (said the same thing about Dozey dowie !) and that our season has to start at Cardiff. At least we need a decent performance which is missing so far. In fact it's hard to find a decent performance over the last 2 seasons. Never mind about getting out the binoculars to see the last away win.”
by Geo. Driff, Bit damp here.
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:40AM
“Lambo "Is there an echo in here, or is this site just a complete joke?"
Richard "Howe many times do you have to post something to get it on. Get it sorted out Baxter you fool."
I must be going soft - Think we might agree about something here.!
Is it raining in King Kong too ? Cardiff sold out but I hear not many Tigers going - too far. Bellamy still big factor. Town has gone Bellend mad. ManC pay £50k pw and Cardiff the £25k balance of his wages. Was surprised to see their new stadium only holds 25,000 - suppose their new National Stadium will hold their internationals.
Back to football - Pleased to see the pair go. Again it shows how poor our squad is when they can only find Palace and Leics to take them.”
by John Carmichael, Stanton, SoCal
Friday, September 10 2010, 3:43AM
“Gardner is injury prone and Zayatte is blunder prone! Good riddance to the pair, now put Bullard in midfield to steady the youngsters and score some goals and away we go.”
by Ambertigerfan, Derringham Bank
Thursday, September 09 2010, 10:02PM
“"Relegation affected them". So, they move onto Championship sides in Crystal Palace and probably Leicester! The comments by Swan make no sense. If they both returned to the Premiership he'd have a point. How come Newcastle's prima donnas kept playing in The Championship and went straight back up, and ours don't? Hull City have a bad record of making good players turn bad.”
by Southern Tiger, Barcelona
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:10PM
“Was the photo taken just after the team read Swanny,s cloumn?”
by Richard, @ Work
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:18PM
“Simply a complete joke.!”
by Richard, @ Work
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:05PM
“Cooper and Gerrard for me anyday of the week. Far far better than tbhe 2 we have had to suffer with so far.
Youth is the key to the future now.”
by Richard, @ Work
Thursday, September 09 2010, 12:02PM
“Howe many times do you have to post something to get it on. Get it sorted out Baxter you fool.”
by Richard, @ Work
Thursday, September 09 2010, 11:53AM
“Cooper and Gerrard any day of the week
Gardner and Zayette overall very poor and have cost city points already. Glad they have moved on now.
Youth is the key with a touch of experience in Ashbee and Dawson.”