HULL CITY: The only way is up, says Hobbs
JACK Hobbs says Hull City are only looking up the Championship table after reclaiming a place in the play-offs with their biggest win of the season.
Hobbs scored his first goal in over three years as Nick Barmby's men convincingly beat Bristol City 3-0 at the KC Stadium to move back up to sixth.
City travel to in-form Birmingham tomorrow just a point adrift of their promotion rivals in third and Hobbs says the challenge is to continue their climb up towards the top two.
"We're confident we can stay where we are," said Hobbs. "We want to be right in amongst it and be looking up if anything.
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"It's a tough test tomorrow against an in-form Birmingham side and we're expecting a tough game, but if we can go there and win, we'll go above them.
"Our confidence is high and we're playing well so we'll just try and keep the results coming.
"We always aim to work harder, be fitter and quicker than the opposition, and it's serving us well.
"That needs to continue through a busy spell, especially in March, and we'll look to try and keep picking up those points."
Saturday's victory over Bristol City will not be forgotten by Hobbs.
Although the 23-year-old has already made 190 league and cup appearances, the opener against the Robins was just his third goal in senior football and a first for City.
Hobbs' previous goal had come for Leicester in a 4-2 win over Huddersfield in January 2009.
An end to that drought came with a deflected header on Saturday but the centre-half was claiming it as his own.
"I can't believe you're even asking the question!" he said. "After one goal in three years and you're trying to take it away from me.
"The last goal seems a long time ago now. Too long to remember.
"It was a good delivery from Robbie (Koren). The guy marking got the wrong line and when I got there, it ended up in the net.
"The whole back four would like to contribute more. We've been working on it in training and Steve Wigley has been talking me through it. That paid dividends but we have to build on that and hopefully get a few more."
To complete a perfect afternoon, Hobbs was part of a defence that claimed its fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league.
It is 12 years since a City side last boasted such a feat and since Derby's Theo Robinson scored a winner on January 2, the Tigers have gone almost seven hours without conceding a league goal.
We know Fryatt is a fantastic player, says Barmby
Comments
by Ajay_Hull
Tuesday, February 14 2012, 1:21AM
“Should be a top game tonight with two of the divisions in form teams trying to cement a top six finish. Right now I would take a point but my ever increasing faith in a side that has the tightest defence in the division gives me confidence that we can take all three points. Birmingham haven't lost at home this season but breaking other clubs home runs is something we're good at, remember Nottingham last year? A clean sheet would do me whether it's 1 or 3 points. Come on TIGERS let's make it 13 from a possible 15 and keep this decent run going!”
by SnothillBaz
Monday, February 13 2012, 3:58PM
“Bristol were rubbish because we made them look rubbish.”
by Elletiger
Monday, February 13 2012, 3:56PM
“Well done Jack Hobbs, a great goal and IMO after watching it several times in slow motion, yes it was your goal! (I'd like to see anyone try take it away from him) Robbie and Mattys were pretty fab too. Don't know what going do about pitch because the ball noticeably bobbled along during passes, I'm not worried that Birmingham haven't been beaten at home, there's always a first time, and why not us? Look at Southampton game, I know we didn't win but it was close and they said we were best team they'd played! So come on boys, you've got everything to play for and win tomorrow...”
by 1Tommygunn
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:20PM
“Don't get carried away Bristol were rubbish. Tigers should've had about 5 or 6. If we're lucky enough to promote we'll have a hell of a year trying to survive...getting our butt kicked almost every week.
I don't wanna be a damp squib but hey...count our blessings, we're in a good place right now.”
by TigersLady
Monday, February 13 2012, 10:37AM
“I thought the HDM might have put a story about Robbie Koren retiring from internationals.... oh well... good news anyway and more time to concentrate on the Tigers :-)”
by F_enchTickler
Monday, February 13 2012, 10:31AM
“Jack Hobbs header was on target anyway so any deflection of a Bristol City does not matter. The rules state that only when an attempt is Off target and gets a deflection can the goal be deamed an OG(own goal) or given to the player it hit on its way in if that player is on the same side. I dont understand why goals such as Hobbs cause any confusion. The rules/laws iof the game on this issue are so clear.!!!!
Well done Jack. keep it going. Top 2 looms. Southampton to lose @ West Ham whilst we win at Birmingham and thats just a 3 point gap with a game in hand. Get in there lads. UTT”
by SnothillBaz
Monday, February 13 2012, 9:18AM
“Hobbs's goal was a decent header seeing as he had one of their defenders dragging him to the ground at the time. Wonder if we'd have got a penalty if the ball had not ended up in the net?!”
by Ambertigerfan
Monday, February 13 2012, 9:05AM
“Hull City: That's the kind of defence Nigel Pearson wishes he had!”