Hull Tigers V Villa Lions; a preview. Oh, Cleverley too.

I’m sure I don’t need to tell anyone how big a game this is.
But the fact is a lot rides on it, as it really could be a season defining game.

It’s quite simple for me.
If we can win this one, it might bode well in giving us a real confidence boost ahead of what would normally be some very winnable games that follow.

But if we lose, you have to wonder how much it will affect a side that already seem incredibly low in confidence, especially when it comes to the attack side of our game.

Enough of telling you what you already know though, so on to squad news;

I don’t think we have any major problems now, do we?
Vlaar’s fit and could well start, if Lambert feels he’s sharp enough.
And of course, Benteke is also available after being dropped on Saturday. I’d play him in this one, personally.

As for Hull, they have new signing Dame N’Doye available and striker Nikica Jelavic might be ready for a return after his knee injury.

Thoughts?
Well, I didn’t see the Man City – Hull game, so the question is did Hull get lucky or actually play well when they got that point? From what I’ve read, they played pretty well at the back and put in a resolute display.
But the important point is, they seemed dejected after City equalised.
Which could prove telling.
In my opinion, a lot will boil down to which side feel more up for it.
How much did Okore’s goal mean to us against Chelsea? And did it give us any extra confidence?

The truth is, I can’t see past a draw, either 0-0 or 1-1.

I just don’t believe the way we play will lead to us beating Hull. We always seem to do poorly against the teams around us after all, don’t we?
Although, in fairness with two wins in something like twenty, you could probably say we don’t do well against anyone.
And I don’t believe Lambert has enough about him to pull anything out of the bag, as in trying something different, to get the result.

I’d actually take that draw, something I can hardly believe I’m saying, but that’s what we’re down to.

I see Lambert has been defending Cleverley today.
My view’s fairly straightforward there. While I appreciate that the manager should defend his players, how Cleverley, who has played lots of games, gets a start over Bacuna, who has actually created something in his rare appearances, is just beyond me.
Cleverley has had lots of time to get into the swing, but he’s been awful in going forward.
Unless the priority is just to stop the opposition scoring.
In which case he’s only been poor.

He needs dropping, the same as Lambert is quick to drop others, even though they’ve offered way more.

It’s no wonder I want Lambert out.