v Hull City (a) - 23/8/25

[jim mk2]

Certainly a surprise yesterday. No one expected that performance from him or the team

Can he do it regularly though, instead of one good game in 10? On past form that's doubtful

[Jimmy612]

Funny player Hedges. He’s always quite neat and tidy, has ability, works hard, but for some reason has never been able to kick on with consistent quality.  He’s also had a lot of injury issues which never helps.

Really hopeful this is the start of a big season for him, as that would be an unexpected plus. Regardless, we have to get another winger in the building. Hedges and Kargbo both seem to struggle with muscular issues, and we can’t even begin to consider them both being available for 46 games. 
 

A striker for me also a massive priority. We need some pace in the final third. Think we’ll struggle to limp on solely with Ohashi and Gueye. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

11 minutes ago, NeilInBristol said:

Hedges surprised us all

Play him on his natural side and he looks a much better player. Playing him on the right means he’s coming inside into heavy traffic most of the time.

[arbitro]

The second goal yesterday was so clever and I can only appreciate how good it was after seeing a replay this morning. The way Cantwell gives the Hull players the 'eyes' and plays Hedges in is absolute quality. The weight of the pass was perfect.

And if that is a training ground routine the much maligned Ben Benson should take great credit.

[Eddie]

A really excellent performance.

As with any Championship match, we rode our luck a tiny bit and survived Hull's brief dominant spell in the first half. We were in total control from the time the first goal went in and could easily have won by 5 or 6. 

The team deserves credit for the commitment and effort that they showed, and there does seem to be a good understanding of the system and the style of play that is being put in place. 

I thought Hedges' chest thumping of the badge after his goal was somewhat significant. It could be a solid indication that some players feel let down by Travis and others, and that it may not be as simple as every player wanting out or seeing the overall atmosphere as toxic. 

It's amazing how much the mood can change based on a win, but we really should have 7 points from our opening 3 matches. Things aren't quite as doom and gloom as they seemed a few days ago. Now we need a bit of adventure in our signings over the next week, and we may have a chance at a positive season. 

[Herbie6590]

[arbitro]

This clip is so good. Yuki is miffed that the scoreboard hasn't accredited him with the second goal. He tells everyone exactly that including the fourth official and one of the substitutes actually pats Yuki on the part of his body that out the ball in.

😂

 

[chaddyrovers]

Well deserved MOTM award for Todd Cantwell

[Hasta]

17 minutes ago, arbitro said:

This clip is so good. Yuki is miffed that the scoreboard hasn't accredited him with the second goal. He tells everyone exactly that including the fourth official and one of the substitutes actually pats Yuki on the part of his body that out the ball in.

😂

 

Good job the officials did miss his touch as I think he was offside.

[Exiled_Rover]

4 minutes ago, Hasta said:

Good job the officials did miss his touch as I think he was offside.

Ironically I think #5, the lad that should have been sent off when giving away the free kick, was just about playing him on. 

[arbitro]

2 minutes ago, Hasta said:

Good job the officials did miss his touch as I think he was offside.

Maybe, maybe not but after the inconsistencies over the two penalties in the first two games we were due a decision. 😂

I thought the referee was poor yesterday. His recognition of foul play was erratic for both teams. His performance was summed up when he got in the way of play twice in about thirty seconds. 

[arbitro]

Just looking at the starting eleven on for our three league games so far only Travis has come through the Academy. With a reported three new signings imminent I think it further reduces the possibility of home grown players becoming first team regulars or even squad members which is a huge turnaround from recent times when we regularly had over half of the squad coming through our Academy.

It's a slightly worrying situation for me as, with a couple of exceptions I can't see any of the current crop of youngsters making it at Championship level.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

10 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Just looking at the starting eleven on for our three league games so far only Travis has come through the Academy. With a reported three new signings imminent I think it further reduces the possibility of home grown players becoming first team regulars or even squad members which is a huge turnaround from recent times when we regularly had over half of the squad coming through our Academy.

It's a slightly worrying situation for me as, with a couple of exceptions I can't see any of the current crop of youngsters making it at Championship level.

 

You can get years like that. No club has a conveyor belt of young players ready for the first team. You can’t rely on things like that.

[GHD]

58 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Just looking at the starting eleven on for our three league games so far only Travis has come through the Academy. With a reported three new signings imminent I think it further reduces the possibility of home grown players becoming first team regulars or even squad members which is a huge turnaround from recent times when we regularly had over half of the squad coming through our Academy.

It's a slightly worrying situation for me as, with a couple of exceptions I can't see any of the current crop of youngsters making it at Championship level.

 

I haven’t seen him myself but heard excellent reports on Matthew Litherland. Do you have any opinion?

[superniko]

20 hours ago, arbitro said:

This clip is so good. Yuki is miffed that the scoreboard hasn't accredited him with the second goal. He tells everyone exactly that including the fourth official and one of the substitutes actually pats Yuki on the part of his body that out the ball in.

😂

 

Yeah I love that. I thought during the game there looked a real togetherness gelling in the group already too. Testament to the squad and the coaches to have that with such a high turnover of players this window already.

Looks like Whitehead is really in there with the players which I like to see, it's always good when the players interact back with the coaches. (obviously a 3-0 scoreline helps massively here!)

[arbitro]

1 hour ago, GHD said:

I haven’t seen him myself but heard excellent reports on Matthew Litherland. Do you have any opinion?

I really like him but he is way down the pecking order now with Hyam, McLoughlin, Carter, Wharton and Miller ahead of him. He played against Everton under 21's last Monday but was nowhere to be seen on Friday.

Perhaps a loan deal might be in the offing for him.

[alexanders]

Just rewatched the game. Todd got MOTM and deservedly so, because he knits everything together like a puppet master. Some other players to praise with really good performances;

Alebiosu. He is full of energy, pacey and better defensively than Brittain imo. Powerhouse going forward. 

Tavares needs a mention too. In one part of the game he sprinted left of the pitch to cover for hedges, 20-30 seconds later he is in the opposite corner trying to get a cross in. Tavares looks very neat and tidy and full of running.

Considering the academy players. No doubt that Montgomerys preferred position is midfield. He has a bit about him, not afraid to get stuck in and played some neat passes together with Tronstad, Cantewell. 

McLoughlin is an amazing signing. Solid and steady. Cant say I miss Batth. Wharton however looked quite miserable on the bench, but I guess he wants to play. 

 

[RoversTilliDie]

If Hedges could play like that every week, he'd have the Blackburn end chanting his name.

[RoversTilliDie]

3 minutes ago, alexanders said:

Just rewatched the game. Todd got MOTM and deservedly so, because he knits everything together like a puppet master. Some other players to praise with really good performances;

Alebiosu. He is full of energy, pacey and better defensively than Brittain imo. Powerhouse going forward. 

Tavares needs a mention too. In one part of the game he sprinted left of the pitch to cover for hedges, 20-30 seconds later he is in the opposite corner trying to get a cross in. Tavares looks very neat and tidy and full of running.

Considering the academy players. No doubt that Montgomerys preferred position is midfield. He has a bit about him, not afraid to get stuck in and played some neat passes together with Tronstad, Cantewell. 

McLoughlin is an amazing signing. Solid and steady. Cant say I miss Batth. Wharton however looked quite miserable on the bench, but I guess he wants to play. 

 

That's football, the best 11 form players get the nod. When the players on the bench get their chance, grab it with both arms.

[philipl]

Yes Hedges had a good all round performance and took his goal expertly.

BUT

He did miss two other chances he should have scored from 

AND

He had screwed his shot well wide from Todd's sensational reversed free kick until Ohashi's tummy saved his blushes.

Incidentally the sight of Yuki berating the 4th Official about the Hull scoreboard will outlive even the memory of the 3-0 win!

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, alexanders said:

Just rewatched the game. Todd got MOTM and deservedly so, because he knits everything together like a puppet master. Some other players to praise with really good performances;

Alebiosu. He is full of energy, pacey and better defensively than Brittain imo. Powerhouse going forward. 

Tavares needs a mention too. In one part of the game he sprinted left of the pitch to cover for hedges, 20-30 seconds later he is in the opposite corner trying to get a cross in. Tavares looks very neat and tidy and full of running.

Considering the academy players. No doubt that Montgomerys preferred position is midfield. He has a bit about him, not afraid to get stuck in and played some neat passes together with Tronstad, Cantewell. 

McLoughlin is an amazing signing. Solid and steady. Cant say I miss Batth. Wharton however looked quite miserable on the bench, but I guess he wants to play. 

 

I think Tronstad deserves a mention as he stood out, just behind Cantwell for man of the match. He was brilliant, snuffed everything out for them and was really composed on the ball setting up attacks.

I certainly am not seeing a better defender in Alebiosu compared to Brittain who really improved his one on one defending. Alebiosu often gets caught out of position although sometimes his recovery pace will help him out there to clean up.

I also have never been totally convinced by Ribeiro and personally prefer Pickering but I thought he had a really solid game at left back on Saturday which deserves praise.

[Exiled_Rover]

30 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I think Tronstad deserves a mention as he stood out, just behind Cantwell for man of the match. He was brilliant, snuffed everything out for them and was really composed on the ball setting up attacks.

I certainly am not seeing a better defender in Alebiosu compared to Brittain who really improved his one on one defending. Alebiosu often gets caught out of position although sometimes his recovery pace will help him out there to clean up.

I also have never been totally convinced by Ribeiro and personally prefer Pickering but I thought he had a really solid game at left back on Saturday which deserves praise.

Ribeiro is a much better footballer than Pickering - it's night and day.

As for Brittain - I think he was helped massively by our tactics last season. He's always been a middling athlete and quick wingers gave him fits - and he always struggled to get back on the counter.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 hours ago, philipl said:

Yes Hedges had a good all round performance and took his goal expertly.

BUT

He did miss two other chances he should have scored from 

AND

He had screwed his shot well wide from Todd's sensational reversed free kick until Ohashi's tummy saved his blushes.

Incidentally the sight of Yuki berating the 4th Official about the Hull scoreboard will outlive even the memory of the 3-0 win!

That’s goalscorers for you - that’s all they think about. Fair play to the lad I think he’s a really good finisher, he can put the ball in the net with anything.

[aletheia]

On 24/08/2025 at 07:53, ... said:

Don't get me wrong I really liked Callum fantastic player did his job well but feel like Alebiosu is stronger and quicker amd cam possibly offer us something sharper going forward

For the record, disagree -or at least don't get all the hyperbole about the lad. Time will tell. 

[Roverthechimp]

On 24/08/2025 at 15:02, Hasta said:

Good job the officials did miss his touch as I think he was offside.

My first thought was "VAR would have ruled that one out"...