The Centre Circle

Looking ahead to this coming Saturday, instead of concentrating on the battle for the title, I thought I would look at the battle at the bottom and as crucial a game as there has been all season. Both Hull & Burney have really struggled in past weeks and themselves in the bottom three of the division, Burnley four points adrift of safety and Hull just one point. A win tomorrow for either team is absolutely crucial.

Both teams have changed their coaches in recent times and both new appointments raised eyebrows. Iain Dowie came into Hull recently on March 17th as a “Football Management Consultant” (whatever that is) and the current manager Phil Brown was put on gardening leave until the end of the season. So far he has had mixed success, the one notable win being two weeks ago when his Hull side convincingly beat Fulham 2-0. Dowie is known in footballing circles as a great motivator, and Adam Pearson, Hull’s chairman is hoping that these skills can inspire the Tigers to enough wins to ensure survival. Brian Laws at Burnley arrived on 17th January to replace Owen Coyle who moved to Bolton Wanderers. The club confirmed that the surprise choice Laws had been chosen after Deloitte and Touche had done a study into delivering success at Championship level compared to financial outlay. Sounds like they were trying to stay up on the cheap to me. Only thing is, in the Premiership experience has proven that unless you spend some considerable money, or you are some sort of managerial genius, you only go one way – down. Quite predictably, he has struggled to make an impact with only one win in 14 games and speculation is rife that defeat this weekend could see the end for Laws.

Last week Burnley were humiliated 6-1 at home to Manchester City with one of their substituted Burnley players Kevin McDonald watching the second half of the game down a local pub. Maybe he needed a stiff drink after the abysmal first half performance by his team. I understand manager Laws was not amused by his actions and he will not be considered for selection this week! Steven Caldwell returns after a 3 month absence with a groin problem and their only real doubt is defender Stephen Jordan with a knee injury.

Hull will hope that their midfield general George Boateng will be able to play after being carried off in last week’s loss to Stoke suffering from concussion. Stephen Hunt is also a doubt with a foot injury.

I expect home advantage to count tomorrow and for Hull to pick up all three points. Burnley’s away form all season has been truly dismal, no wins and just one draw in sixteen away games, conceding 47 goals at almost three a game, and I don’t see this trend changing. Hull have a little bit of quality and drive from the irrepressible Jimmy Bullard, and fantastic work-rate from Hunt and Boateng (if one or both are fit). Bullard when he has been available has proved head and shoulders Hull’s best player this year, and their home form has been surprisingly good – just one loss in 2010 and that was in the last minute to Arsenal. 

Almost certainly the loser of this particular contest will be relegated, the winner will give themselves an almighty chance of staying up; Hull may pull themselves out of the bottom three win a win. In truth, a draw in all truth is no good to either team. The scene is set at the KC stadium for a tense encounter, and those going may not expect to see an afternoon of quality football, however for sure there will be no shortage of fingernail biting tension.