Match Day Thread Hull City v Aston Villa

Couldn't wait any longer. We're back.
Come on City.



Marshall

Lichaj Burke De Wijs Kingsley

Henriksen Irvine

Bowen Evandro Milinkovic

Campbell


A warm round of applause and a good beating for our greatest ever Manager.

City 2-1

 

Ahead of Monday night's Sky Bet Championship opener with Aston Villa, we take a look at the key battles between the two sides.
Markus Henriksen vs Jack Grealish
The battle of two creative sparks in the middle of the park who both played a key role for their respective sides throughout last season. It will be interesting to see whether they can both push on in the new campaign.

Henriksen’s performances for the Tigers significantly improved as the season progressed, as it took him some time to adapt to Championship football following his move from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. The 26-year-old was utilised in a more defensive role towards the end of the season but he does have the ability to push forward and create problems for the opposition at the opposite end of the pitch.

There has been a significant amount of speculation over his future this summer, but as it stands Grealish remains part of Steve Bruce’s squad. He has previously shown that he has the ability to control games at this level and it will be a huge boost to the club if they are able to keep hold of him. Knowing he has the likes of Conor Hourihane and Mile Jedinak behind him has certainly allowed him to fully express himself in an attacking sense which makes him a very dangerous player.

Reece Burke vs Jonathan Kodjia
A very important season lies ahead for both of these players for very different reasons, and they are likely to go head to head on Monday evening.

Kodjia, whose season was plagued by injury last time out, has failed to score in his last 10 appearances in the Championship. Whilst perhaps not looking quite as sharp as he did before his injury, he remains a significant threat at this level and has proven he can find the back of the net on a regular basis. With Lewis Grabban’s loan spell coming to an end, much of the goal-scoring burden will lay with both him and fellow striker Scott Hogan.

Burke will be hoping to make his first appearance for the Tigers on Monday evening having joined the club on a three-year contract from Premier League side West Ham United for an undisclosed fee. With Kodjia being a pacey operator, this could be a real test for the 21-year-old defender who still lacks first team experience despite four previous loan spells.

Eric Lichaj vs Albert Adomah
Two players with a wealth of Championship experience are likely to go head to head on Monday and are likely to play a big part in proceedings.

USA international Lichaj will be keen to make an impression on what could be his first competitive appearance for the Tigers since joining for an undisclosed fee from Nottingham Forest. The 29-year-old made just under 200 appearances for the Reds and established himself as one of their most consistent performers, before falling out of favour following Aitor Karanka’s arrival at the club. He certainly still has plenty to offer at this level both defensively and going forward.

Despite being 30-years-old, Adomah arguably remains one of the most dangerous wingers in the Championship. He has racked up a significant amount of appearances for Bristol City, Middlesbrough and now Villa and remains one of the first names on Steve Bruce’s team sheet. He plays a very important role in Bruce’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation as one of the three forward players behind the lone striker.

 

Not sure how this one will go, can't see us winning somehow, but one never knows. A draw or 1-2 loss is likely I fear, but we can live in hope. If we can get the first goal, then maybe their supporters will start to get on their backs and we can eke out a win.

 

I think we'll get battered, 0-3. I just can't see us scoring.

Come on lads, prove me wrong.

 

We'll get nowt out of this.

If our goal difference is still in single figures at the end of it, it'll be a bonus.

 

No change then Ernie.

 

One goal wins it. Not sure which way though.

 

I've not read up on the situation at villa tbh.
If they signed anyone or who they'd lost.
I'm expecting a comprehensive scouting report from Charon, focusing on what some no marks on the Internet think of Bruce's tactics and formation.

 

I think they've remained fairly static (unless I've missed it).

Which is crazy considering the wheels that were turning.

I'm just hoping that the proposed juggernaut of upheaval - upheaved, somewhat.

A draw, again, would probably suit both parties.

 

Brucey won't want to concede so he'll go a bit negative, we can't score anyway so a scrappy nil-all is my prediction.

 

I was just looking at Villas squad numbers and reading that Ross McCormack hasn't been given a number... He's 32 and on 40k a week with 2 years left on his contract... Someone could likely pick him up for 20k a week and Villa paying the other half... maybe less...

 

I haven't seen any preseason so don't know how good any of our new signings are , so hard to predict too much . Do know we are light up front tho so for that reason , honest feeling is a 0-1 defeat .

 

They ain’t got Snodgrass anymore. Relying on Grealish.

 

It’s going to be an absolute bore fest..... 0-0 at best

 

Happy will have it right!!!!

 

One zip to us, nailed on...
You read it here first....

 

They’re ****, Bruce is ace, we’ll win, Chazz hits the ground running.

3 nowt, comfortable start.







Just heard I may have to attend, to fulfil parental responsibilities. If so, it will break my self imposed KCom exile, in place since the play off win. TWT.

 

An oldie but a goodie Ernest.

 

1-0 to us. Dodgy penalty but who gives a ****. We're on our way again.