Introduction

It’s been widely tipped as the game that will decide Phil Brown’s future. The first match since Adam Pearson made his KC comeback for his second stint as Chairman, many people think that if Brown loses he won’t just have squandered three points, but his position as manager too. However, building up to Sunday’s clash Brown has placed more emphasis on the performance that his team gives, insisting that if Hull play as they did against Burnley then they have a chance in the match. Interesting that City lost that one 2-0 (no matter how controversial).

Whilst so much could change if Hull lose, if they win there won’t be much difference. It would still be only eleven points, the Tiger’s would probably still be in the relegation zone and Phil Brown would probably still be fighting to save his job. If you think about Gareth Southgate’s exit as Middlesbrough manager not very long ago, after a few poor results he was sacked, even though he had turned it round with a win over Derby the night he was given the boot. There’s nothing to say that Phil Brown isn’t out of a job already. Conversely, there’s nothing to say that Adam Pearson won’t give him until Christmas, although his footballing sensibility would suggest otherwise.

City are obviously without Geovanni, who will be suspended after being red carded against Burnley on an awful game week discipline-wise in the Premier League. Jimmy Bullard is unlikely to feature for whatever reason, whether it’s a gashed shin or something else, there are so many rumours circling about Hull’s record buy that it’s not worth speculating further. Boaz Myhill is still missing with knee ligament damage, so he won’t figure this weekend either. These absentees are the only issues Brown has to contend with (aside from long-term injury Ian Ashbee). The major challenge that Phil Brown has is the creation of chances. Just four shots on target in the last three games, and no goals. His apparent refusal to include Daniel Cousin – unless already losing heavily, beyond repair, to Liverpool – hasn’t helped the Tiger’s inability to find the net this term. How he can go from scoring against Arsenal and Manchester United and spearheading City’s attack last season to near extinction from the Hull squad is utterly bemusing. Especially given that none of the other attacking options brought in by Phil Brown have been particularly inspiring.

My Hull City team to play Stoke City:

Duke

Mendy - McShane - Gardner – Kilbane

Marney - Zayatte - Boateng

Altidore – Cousin – Hunt

This 4-3-3 formation would undoubtedly provide Hull with plenty of attacking firepower. The midfield three is strong and energetic and not giving Boateng the full defensive responsibility is sure to help his game in my opinion, and Zayatte is more than capable of carrying out his position in the ‘Makelele role’. Cousin is strong up front. He will win headers and he will hold the ball up well. Having two men around him increases the likelihood of him finding an amber shirt with any knockdowns he wins. Jozy Altidore is still unproven, although he is certainly talented. I think that putting him in an attacking role that sees him involved in play more than if he was a lone striker – which is definately not his position - would highlight his true ability. Defensively, there is stability in McShane, Gardner and Kilbane even though they do not pose much of a threat going forward. Bernard Mendy is probably not as defensively sound as McShane at right-back but can be troublesome if his pace can be utilised on the overlap, and with Zayatte in the deep defensive midfield role he could cover for Mendy if need be. Though I genuinely feel it should be, this will almost certainly not be Hull City’s team against Stoke City.

There comes a time when a team has had a string of awful results when they come out fighting and given the media attention that has surrounded the club of late and the personal things that are being said about the players and the manager, maybe this weekend is the time for Hull City to really take the game to Stoke City and show a real determination to win their way out of trouble.

Prediction: Hull City 3 – 1 Stoke City