Peter Swan: Forest feared Hull City's free-flowing football
STEVE Bruce must have walked away from the City Ground a very happy man – as this match indicated how far his side has come since the start of the season.
The Tigers may have had a bit of fortune to claim their 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest, as the home side certainly appeared to have a case for handball over Paul McShane's winner. But overall, City were fully deserving of the three points, and it was clear Forest had been worried about facing the Tigers.
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Kept things ticking over: Corry Evans was superb in the centre of the park
Forest boss Sean O'Driscoll admitted in midweek he was concerned about the way City play the game, the way they control sides through their five man midfield, and how they dominate possession in most games.
And when it came to Saturday's clash, Forest had clearly spent more time focusing on how to try and stop the Tigers, than on their own game.
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Forest are a quality footballing side, and the fact that they were so concerned about facing City is a huge compliment to Bruce's side and the way they are playing.
In all honesty, it was something which came back to shoot Forest in the foot, as they never really looked comfortable against the Tigers.
That is probably because it isn't as simple as matching City for numbers in the middle.
All of the five in midfield are clever players, and they don't stick rigidly to their positions.
Captain Robert Koren is able to drift around in a free role, whilst both wide men, Ahmed Elmohamady and Robbie Brady, are happy coming inside to look for the ball.
Then, both Corry Evans and Stephen Quinn are busy in the centre, and buzzing around, making it very difficult to pick them up.
I really can't see any side being able to focus purely on trying to stop the Tigers this season, as the players are too good, and they are 100 per cent comfortable with the system.
That all comes back to Bruce, who quickly identified the system early in the season as being one which best suited his side.
It is one he has not used for years as a manager, but having assessed his players, he has clearly found a system they like to play.
This is a big change to what we have seen at City in recent times, where players have been forced to play formations they have not been comfortable with, and managers have put square pegs in round holes.
Bruce has found this system, brought in players like Elmohamady and Brady who can slip straight into it, and then let the players go out and express themselves.
They have done just that, and while Bruce takes credit for his approach, the players must be applauded for the quality of football they've produced.
Much of their play can't be coached, it is all natural ability and reading of the game.
City are obviously playing with confidence at the moment, and although they dropped points at home to Burnley and Crystal Palace, they were fully confident at Forest.
It was great to see Paul McShane on the scoresheet, especially as I backed up what I'd said in midweek and put my money on him to find the net again, as he had done at Liverpool in the Premier League days. That lad never lets me down.
He is a prime example of a player benefiting from Bruce's leadership.
Out in the cold for the past two years, he has been given his chance by Bruce and taken it with both hands.
That clean slate for all players, and rewarding those who play well, has clearly developed a great team spirit in the camp.
Comments
by YorkshireMike
Wednesday, December 05 2012, 12:18PM
“Thanks Merlin - totally agree ... three points are three points”
by merlin_
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 12:00PM
“Yorkshire Mike
I'd just like to draw your attention to three points :
One -Although Macca hasn't put his hand up to the charge, your well-crafted post made me smile.
Two - I heard on the radio that the team has christened him Maccadonna! Watch the weight lad.
Three - Who gives a monkey's? We got the win - and how many decisions wrongly go the other way?”
by SteveB1234567
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 11:41AM
“"He is a prime example of a player benefiting from Bruce's leadership. Out in the cold for the past two years, he has been given his chance by Bruce and taken it with both hands. That clean slate for all players, and rewarding those who play well, has clearly developed a great team spirit in the camp."- Bruce really does seem to have top-notch man-management skills, alongside tactical acumen. And most, but not all (yet), of his signings seem to have paid off so far.”
by YorkshireMike
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 7:58AM
“'Out in the cold for the past two years, he has been given his chance by Bruce and taken it with both hands.'
- unfortunate choice of phrase given the allegations as to how McShane scored his goal!!”
by stantheman
Monday, December 03 2012, 9:14PM
“For once I agree with Swanny. I was at Forest and it was a case of them standing back and admiring City's style of play. We looked so much better then them except for the frantic last ten mins when they threw the kitchen sink at us. Great away support again.
This squad is going places.”
by costatiger
Monday, December 03 2012, 6:56PM
“Interesting article from Swanny,coming on the back of Holloways comments after the Palace game in which he admitted his team were unable to contain Citys system and that,s a side who were top of the table.A good friend of mine who recently retired from professional football told me that he hated playing against the 3-5-2 system,because in his own words "you hav,nt a f.....g clue who you,re supposed to be marking". Add to it a potent goalscorer and you really are in business!”
by strummer1961
Monday, December 03 2012, 6:31PM
“Good article Swanny.I think most teams we play have genuine concerns about our style of play and managers up and down the country have paid us massive compliment post-match.
I firmly believe that it has took Bruce a fair amount of time to decide on his preferred 11 and once the squad is fully fit I think he will go with it on a weekly basis,this should see us push on in the 2nd half of the season,hopefully into an automatic spot...UTT”
by ka2011
Monday, December 03 2012, 6:22PM
“Swanny, what a highly professional ****yisis. The first intelligent appraisal I have heard for years. I sincerely hope you are correct because that has been my personal opinion ever since Sone Aluko voiced similar opinions some weeks ago.
He expressed his opimion that the team had the abilty to exchange positions in a way that was difficult to contain. That being the case then we can fully appreciate why Brucie has found a new enthusiasm. Indeed he must be very excited at the sheer potential at Hull City AFC
Yet we are still learning and the best has yet to come as the tem matures and gains experience and confidence.
Granted there are still flaws and the team can always be improved, but the management (especially the Assams) are fully aware of them, and are in a position to consolidate both financially and professionaly.
This has been a masterpiece of management from all concerned. But at the nd of the day we have to salute the players, and of course support them.
When Peter Taylor was manager I described the tigers as the fuure Man U. I see no reason to change my opinion. I just hope end of deason pressure and nerves do not impede individual players.”