The Tigers started their Premier League campaign by shocking champions Leicester City 2-1 at the KCOM Stadium with only 13 fit senior players and that could be swiftly followed by news that Assem Allam will sell the club to new Chinese investors.
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Hull are in turmoil off the pitch with the club’s ownership up in the air and manager Steve Bruce walking out, but out of chaos came a surprising degree of order for the promoted side on Saturday as Leicester found themselves out-Leicestered by an organised band hell-bent on defying logic. We have to restart, forget we are the champions and improve as a team.
“When I say “40 points”, a lot of people are laughing but it is true”, Ranieri said. There was no point doing all the hard work and then having a sulk because we haven’t got any players. “We tried to do our best, our effort was wonderful but it was individual, not as a team”.
“I felt we just didn’t kick on from 1-1 and we probably dropped off if anything”. We were first to every ball on Saturday and I felt there was only one team that wanted to win the game’.
“We started well. We created two chances to score but we conceded a goal from a corner at the end of the first half”. Everything on the outside seemed to be pointing towards us going the other way, so it was important that the players showed the character that they did regardless of the final result. We were a little surprised. “In the second half we played as we usually play”. “That’s something we’ve got to get used to”, said full-back Danny Simpson.
“He wants to take on this mighty challenge, and we need someone like that”.
“I told the players that we made a very strong effort but as individuals”.
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“Hull City played better than us because they were so concentrated and so strong, and they played like team”. Because we only had a small number of players available, they knew exactly what their roles were and how to go about it because we’ve worked with them all week. “If something happens it is okay”.
