What a difference a week makes.

After suffering the mother of all hammerings at Anfield allied to a week of feverish speculation regarding Phil Brown’s job around the City (seemingly the conversation de jour at all bus stops) we were looking for a reaction from the players, given the Perma Tanned One’s observations regarding thrown towels on Sky, to see whether that oft bandied phrase about “losing the dressing room” was true.

This performance suggests not. We were denied a stonewall penalty in the opening phase of play and suffered a minor scare at the other end almost immediately but there was no sign of panic, or of lowered heads. The players kept on working hard for each other and gradually we took control of the game form a well drilled Wigan side who kept the ball well but came up against a better balanced home team line up.

The key for me was the decision to move Zayette into a McMahon type-shielding role in front of a central defensive partnership of Sonko and Kilbane. Both have oodles of experience, but are no great shakes in the pace department. Thus Zayette’s presence allows Kilbane in particular, to just sit, read the game and clear up when needed.

Venegoor of Hesslelink led the line on his own, fitness levels are coming along well, and he brought Geo and Hunt into the game expertly. Negative? Perhaps a touch as he is prone to get isolated and there is tremendous pressure on Hunt to be a jack-of-all-trades, breaking up play and supporting the Dutch target man. The Irishman looked dead on his feet and PB needs to make sure that Marney does his bit especially in fire fighting scenarios which will become apparent against the top six.  

Barmby was promoted to Skipper, a wise move if he is going to be a regular starter. With all the best will in the world this isn’t going to be the case and there is a strong case for Geo to have the armband until the return of Ashbee and the inclusion of Ghilas as a right hand side starter. The Brazilian has been a new man since signing a two-year deal recently and took the plaudits, deservedly as the Observer’s most Valuable Player of the Week. His tackling back was a real eye opener and he clearly feels more settled in Hull now and he has a big role to player as a leader in this team.

One swallow doesn’t make a Summer and all that jazz, but I am much more assured that the Management, Staff and players are all singing from the same hymn sheet. The upcoming fixtures are kind and this win will prevent the build up of pressure from getting out of hand.

·                            Boaz Myhill,

·                            Andy Dawson,

·                            Kamil Zayatte (Seyi Olofinjana, 81),

·                            Paul McShane,

·                            Ibrahima Sonko,

·                            Kevin Kilbane,

·                            Deiberson Geovanni,

·                            Stephen Hunt,

·                            Dean Marney,

·                            Nicky Barmby (Kamel Ghilas, 64),

Ja       Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Steven Mouyokolo, 90)