To Hull and back; an almost perfect symmetry

Almost two years ago on a freezing cold Tuesday night in November at Turf Moor one of the worst games of football I'd seen in a long time took place. After an exhausting ninety minutes viewing from my seat in the Bob Lord Stand Phil Brown's Hull City came out one nil winners over Steve Cotterill's Burnley.

That was the last time we were to be known as that as Cotterill was later dismissed by the Burnley board in a sacking probably best remembered for him turning up to his own funeral as he sat looking glumly in the resulting press conference as Chairman Barry Kilby delivered the club's reasoning to the press.

I remember thinking that both sides weren’t really up to much that night; the Claret’s looked weak and drained of confidence while Hull simply relied on their intimidating physical presence and organisation. Either way I didn’t foresee much success for either of what seemed to be the Championship’s also-rans.

But how times quickly changed; somehow the Tigers managed to put an astonishing run together and lift themselves into the playoffs that season, only to then earn a smash and grab promotion via the playoffs courtesy of a beautiful volley from local lad Dean Windass. Meanwhile on the other side of the country new Claret’s boss Owen Coyle was busy improving on his work in progress at Turf Moor.

Then while Hull were impressing all in the Premier League with fantastic early season wins away at Arsenal and Spurs, Burnley were doing the same against the big boys in the Carling Cup where we also upset the Gunners, along with Chelsea whilst giving Tottenham a scare in the semis. Now after Hull’s last day survival and Burnley’s play off promotion tomorrow we come face to face once more but this time as heavily tipped Premier League relegation candidates.

It’s been a tough time recently for the boys from the Humber as the club seems to be going through turmoil on and off the pitch. The clubs finances are in a mess with their share of Premier League gold seemingly disappearing into an over ambitious black hole. Just imagine what state they’d be in if they were paying Michael Owen’s wages on top of what they are already shelling out? This financial mess has led to Chairman Paul Duffen resigning this week with the returning Adam Pearson ready to step into the chair.

The loathable leather faced Phil Brown has also been under lots of pressure but for the time being looks like keeping his job. It’s a difficult one with Brown, for Hull fans he will always be the man who took them to the Promised Land and kept them up but does that success mean he is immune from the sack even if results and performances remain consistently awful? The Tigers currently sit in the relegation places and in their last two games his team have only managed two shots on goal.

Now this weekend it is our turn to heap further misery and pressure on the club as we must get back to winning ways after back to back derby defeats against Blackburn and Wigan. Last weekend’s first home defeat reminded me of when Roberto Martinez came to town with Swansea last season. The performance of his Wigan side was very similar as they work hard for each other and passed the ball well, while their lone striker Jason Scotland once again was enough on his own to occupy both of centre backs.

That game changed when we suffered the unfortunate injury to Brain Jensen in the build up to the Wigan equaliser. It was probably the most bizarre goal I’ve ever seen at Turf Moor to see our goalkeeper collapsed in a heap on the floor while the ball was stroked home into an empty net by Hugo Rodellega. Who needs beach balls eh?!

While the Beast clutched his ankle the crowd scratched their heads as to whether Jenson's injury was serious or simply embarrassment at his indecision. The verdict from the Turf Moor medical staff was of slight ankle ligament damage. Let’s just hope he can get himself back in goal on Saturday and put the last two weeks behind him.

The rest of last Saturday’s performance saw us in and out of the game. Sadly when we were in it we were largely ineffective. There were one or two bright moments particularly from Chris Eagles but in the end we were well beaten.

It seems to me we are losing the battle in central midfield. Ever since Andre Bikey moved into the spot vacated by the injured McCann the balance just hasn’t been right. The Cameroonian has done his best but now needs to be back in his best position at centre half and be replaced by someone who can start and finish attacks and move the ball from side to side.

That man for me is Kevin McDonald. The young Scot has so far failed to live up to the potential he showed when he first arrived at the club. Injuries have blighted his progress and perhaps by his own admission he will say he lost his way slightly last season. But certainly in his cameos in the last two games he’s looked bright, hungry, composed and well worth his opportunity in a midfield lacking spark.

Towards the end of last weekend’s game the Wigan fans sang “It’s just like watching Brazil” as for the first time in a long time we were outplayed at Turf Moor and gave up the ghost before the final whistle. This weekend when Hull come to town things will be different as sadly for their well pruned and over tanned manager Phil Brown the only thing that could ever be Brazilian about him is his pubic hair arrangement.

Hull will come to Burnley with their usual physical, get men behind the ball mantra and try to frustrate us. But unlike the last time the two sides met at Turf Moor under Steve Cotterill, Owen Coyle’s new look Claret’s are more than capable of putting this game to bed and stretching the gap between the two teams to seven points.

Both Burnley and Hull may have enjoyed similar fortunes over the last two years but one thing is for sure; neither side will want to end up back where the started in the Championship next season. As the clichéd six pointers go, we may only be a third of the way through the season but this game definitely has the feel of one.