Tottenham Hotspur 0 - 0 Hull City.
Anyone who predicted that result ahead of the weekend's game was probably just taking a wild guess. City hadn't kept a clean sheet away from the KC all season and Spurs had scored 11 in their last 5 games. They probably would've added at least another 3 or 4 to that total had it been for Boaz Myhill. Now, to the Tiger Nation, Myhill has always been highly regarded and we've known for a long time that he is a top shot stopper, but his performance at White Hart Lane on Saturday was something else. 7 times Spurs tried to breach his goal. 7 times Myhill stood firm, Gandalf-like between the sticks, his every save crying out "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" Spurs, like the Balrog in Tolkien's 'Lord Of The Rings' had met their match and City's figurative sheet remained clean, pristine and unsullied. Myhill deserved nothing less after what was a truly fantastic display. He'll never play better again in his life, and I, for one, feel privileged to have witnessed such a display from a man who has been a great servant to our football club. Thanks Bo.
Whilst Myhill deservedly took the plaudits the rest of the side should be congratulated too. Let us not forget that this was only City's third point on the road this season and, as I mentioned before, the first clean sheet the Tigers have kept away from home this term. That City took anything from this game is testament to the work rate and commitment shown by each and every player wearing City's blue away strip. Craig Fagan led from the front, as always. His desire to chase lost causes was as great as ever and he worked Tottenham's centre backs whenever he could, tirelessly chasing down lost causes and hassling Bassong and the excellent Michael Dawson. Nick Barmby and Stephen Hunt provided the quality in midfield, linking up in the second half to provide City with their only real chance of note, which Barmby lashed into the side netting. Much of City's travelling contingent, myself included, leapt to celebrate an unlikely lead as soon as the ball left Barmby's boot. Unfortunately we had been deceived and quietly sat back down as the home fans hooted derision. George Boateng did an important job in front of the back four, breaking up countless attacks but when asked to produce with the ball at his feet often fell short. 'The Boat' looked knackered with half an hour to play and that he remained on the field for the remainder of the game highlights his character and desire. Geovanni didn't have his best day creatively either but the diminutive Brazilian worked tirelessly, playing a sort of game that must be entirely foreign to him. This was good to see, as it makes a case for including him in the side when he is not at his attacking best. The back four must take credit too, particularly the centre backs. Kamil Zayatte and former Spur Anthony Gardner were outstanding, displaying a willingness to put their bodies on the line in support of Myhill's quest to keep Spurs' glittering attack at bay. Anthony Gardner has always looked a classy player, but now that he has managed a run of games he is really beginning to look the part and is, in my opinion, the equal of former defensive partner Michael Turner. He'll be off to Sunderland in cut price deal soon then. Well, either that or he'll suffer a freak injury whilst tieing his shoelaces.
Spurs will feel hard done by not to have claimed more than a point from this fixture, and with the chances they created, you would really have expected them to have won comfortably but anything but a clean sheet and point would've been equally hard on Bo Myhill. A draw was a fair result in the end, and it temporarily lifted City out of the drop zone until West Ham's goalless draw at Villa Park the following day dragged them back in. But if this sort of fight and defensive discipline can be shown on a regular basis, City have every chance of pulling themselves clear. We just need a touch more quality up front.
Which is where this bloke comes in. Hull City confirmed this week the signing of powerhouse Egyptian striker Amr Zaki on loan for the remainder of the season. Voices within the media have been quick to condemn the decision to sign the challenging striker but to most City fans, it looks a good decision. What the media have failed to realise is that with the club sitting in the relegation zone and suffering financial troubles, we will not be able to bring in players without baggage. Beggars can't be choosers, after all. This is a deal that could benefit both club and player though. After impressing in the first few months of his loan spell at Wigan last season and being linked with a host of top clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, things went sour for Zaki. After repeatedly arriving back to Wigan late from international duty, leading to Steve Bruce, the man who must be every rhinoplastic surgeon's wet dream, branding him the most "unprofessional player" he had ever worked with. Bruce seemed perfectly happy with Zaki when he was banging in goals for the Latics, and bang them in he did. Who can forget his magnificent volley at Anfield? So having seen his star rise and fall so quickly, Zaki went back to the wilderness with Zamalek and must now see the next few months at City as a chance to redeem himself. If he is able to score the goals that help to push City out of relegation trouble, he may get the move to a top club that he desires. If this deal proves to be a success, it can only be good for both club and player.
Finally, I'd like to end this post by wishing my good friend Ian a speedy recovery. Ian fractured his fibula last night in a freak accident after going in for a tackle during one of our 6-a-side football matches and will be in plaster for the next 6 weeks. Hopefully we'll be able to get Ian back in our line up soon, and as league champions as our team, West Hull United, is currently gunning for the league title. Whilst Ian waited for an ambulance, we were forced to carry on with the game a man light, with the game deadlocked 0-0. We demolished our opponents 5-1 in a fantastic display of counter attacking football and quality possession play. Ian's injury was not the only disappointing thing about the game though, as our opponent's goal keeper shouted a disgusting comment to his team mate during the 2nd half. In our league, slide tackling is forbidden as the astro turf is unforgiving and sliding in is dangerous to yourself and your opponent. During the second half, one of our opponent's defenders slid instinctively in an honest attempt at winning the ball but, realising his error, pulled out and missed both ball and man. A free kick was awarded anyway, prompting their keeper to shout "If you're going to slide, at least fucking hit him." Why, in a Monday night game of 6-a-side do some people feel compelled to inflict injury on people who are just trying to get some exercise and play a bit of honest competitive football with their friends? Idiotic, childish and utterly deplorable, especially as he'd seen Ian helped to the side of the pitch in the first half where he sat, awaiting an ambulance. Anyway, following our fifth goal, I reminded him of his fuckwitted comment, saying "If you're going to dive, at least fucking save it."
Thanks for reading, and if you feel you have anything to contribute please leave a comment!
Soundtrack for this post:
Gold Country by Chuck Ragan
(SideOneDummy) (2009)
Rating: 8/10
and
Build & Burn by The Loved Ones
(Fat Wreck Chords) (2008)
Rating: 8/10
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