Andy Beil of Hull City Online gives his views on Saturday's opening league encounter at Stamford Bridge.
The Gameplan
We've mainly played 4-4-2 over pre-season but the players we've got
might point to 4-3-3 (or 4-5-1) instead. New signing Jozy Altidore
probably won't start after playing for USA on Wednesday so Phil Brown
may look to Craig Fagan to lead the attack as he did so well at
Stamford Bridge last season. New signings Stephen Hunt and Kamel
Ghilas may provide the support, but Geovanni must play some part as
well. It's hard to predict what Brown will do having made a number of
signings prior to this game.
Strengths
Our strengths early last season were solid defending, three
midfielders working hard and being sensible with the ball, two clever
strikers who applied pressure, and Geovanni adding quality on the ball
and a goal threat. By the end of the season we didn't really have any
strengths. Set pieces are something we'll need to make the most of and
provided us lots of our points last year.
Weaknesses
We've sold Sam Ricketts and not signed a replacement right-back as of
yet. Bernard Mendy - erratic for a winger, never mind a defender -
could play there and we'll fear the worst.
We don't score enough from open play. That may be rectified by the
signings of Olofinjana and Hunt in midfield and Altidore and Ghilas up
front. Jimmy Bullard was supposed to set the chances up but got
injured on his debut and will remain sidelined into the start of this
season.
Injuries/Suspensions
Craig Fagan (hernia) and Boaz Myhill (thumb) should both have
recovered from injuries.
Right winger Richard Garcia and central midfielders Ian Ashbee and
Jimmy Bullard all have serious knee injuries.
Player by Player
Boaz Myhill - Great shot stopper and better at kicking than Matt Duke,
who may in fact be chosen instead. Often criticised for not commanding
his area.
Andy Dawson - Long-standing left-back who may get the nod ahead of
Kevin Kilbane. Lacks pace and height but can cross a ball and is good
with set pieces as well as being a solid tackler.
Bernard Mendy - Gives us an attacking threat with his pace.
Unfortunately he'll be playing right-back where he may threaten our
own goal more than Chelsea's.
Michael Turner - Often our saviour with last ditch blocks.
Anthony Gardner - Fast and good in the air. Spends more time in the
treatment room than in our defence.
George Boateng - Age is getting the better of him and he can be found
dwelling on the ball, but he still does a job. He's got no pace but he
can read the game to make tackles and blocks. Stand-in captain in Ian
Ashbee's absence.
Seyi Olofinjana - Expected to be our midfield engine getting on the
end of chances as well.
Dean Marney - Runs all day which can be good for our defence but it's
often without end product.
Stephen Hunt - Expected to play on the left, giving us energy and a
threat to Chelsea's goal (but hopefully not to your goalkeeper...)
Craig Fagan - Usually plays wide as his goal return is poor and he can
put full backs under pressure. Likely to be in the centre forward
position if no further signings have been made as Daniel Cousin and
Caleb Folan have not impressed over pre-season.
Geovanni - Most comfortable with the ball at his feet of any of our
players. Finding a place where we can get the ball to him has proven
to be a problem after teams took greater notice of him.
Thanks Andy.
Go to www.hullcityonline.com for more news and views on our first opposition.