Phil Brown’s Tigers entertain fellow strugglers Portsmouth this weekend in a game that some pundits are already describing as a six-pointer.
Portsmouth have endured a nightmare start on and off the pitch while Hull City have suffered a terrible year full stop. Both teams sit in the bottom three and are in desperate need for points.
But who would feature in a combined Hull City and Portsmouth side? Here is my starting XI, based on a standard 4-4-2 formation from those players who are eligible to play in this match.
Goalkeeper
There really is only one winner here and that’s Portsmouth’s David James. The England international is 39 years old but has improved his game year on year and he shows no sign of hanging up his gloves yet. A big and commanding presence, James is head and shoulders above Boaz Myhill. The American-born keeper deserves great praise for stepping up to the challenge each time Hull have been promoted, but he has conceded a whopping 22 goals in nine games this season. That even makes Ben Foster look good!
Defence
Between them, Hull City and Portsmouth have conceded 37 goals in 18 games so this really is like picking a carnival queen out of a bunch of pensioners. However, despite that, there is quality in both defences and I do like to bag a granny now and again!
My right back has to be former Liverpool and now Portsmouth man Steve Finnan. Why Rafa Benitez let him leave Anfield in 2008 remains a mystery, but he’s back from his spell at Espanyol and looking to do a job for Paul Hart. Finnan has a wealth of European and international experience to call on and even at 33 still makes some wingers look slow.
Finnan comfortably beats his countryman Paul McShane to the right-back slot as although the former Sunderland and West Brom man may be an uncompromising figure in defence, his crossing and passing is woeful – as was demonstrated in its entirety on Monday night against Fulham.
In the centre of defence I have to go for the Pompey pairing of Younes Kaboul and Mark Wilson. Kaboul is an absolute monster and towers above most opponents. Strong, tall and up for a fight, Kaboul is a major threat in both penalty areas. Alongside him I’ve gone for his teammate Wilson who has a great future ahead of him. Skilful and tenacious, Wilson is a fantastic reader of the game and full of energy.
Zayatte and Gardner for Hull City are decent players but there is no way they would get near my team on current form.
However, completing my defence is Hull City’s left-back Andy Dawson. Arguably the trickiest decision so far, I have opted for Dawson ahead of Ben-Haim purely on the fact that Dawson has never let the Tigers down. Strong, smart and committed, Dawson, like Myhill, has been an integral part of Hull’s ascent through the leagues.
Ben-Haim is an exceptional player who is highly versatile but Dawson just edges it for me.
Midfield
He may have only just come back from a serious knee injury but Jimmy Bullard would definitely be the first name on my team sheet. The former Fulham and Wigan man is full of running and is blessed with a wonderful right foot. His awareness of players around him and his ability to split a defence is sublime. He’s also quite lethal at free-kicks too.
Joining him in this side is his teammate Geovanni. The little Brazilian is a mercurial talent and can make things happen in a blink of an eye. The former Manchester City man has a fierce shot, great passing ability and isn’t afraid to put himself about when needed. If he could find his scoring boots Hull City would not be in the position they currently find themselves.
With two flair players in the team I think I need somebody with a bit of steel about them, someone who isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Step forward Portsmouth’s on-loan Spurs man Jamie O’Hara. One of the most underrated players in the Premier League, O’Hara can play in a number of positions across the middle and gives everything he has when he steps over the white line. Athletic, skilful and a great team player, O’Hara fully warrants his place.
Completing my four man midfield is football royalty, Kevin-Prince Boateng. The German-born star has made a huge impression at Fratton Park since he moved from Spurs in the summer and, along with Kaboul, Boateng is the club’s top goalscorer with two. Comfortable on the ball and always looking to move the play forward, Boateng is a class player.
Just missing out on a place in the team is Hull City’s Stephen Hunt. The tenacious and talented Irishman has bags of energy and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Like Boateng, he knows where the goals are but I think the Portsmouth man just has that little bit more composure about him. Also Hunt would be a great man to have on the bench if you require an injection of energy with 30 minutes to go. Portsmouth’s Belhadj would also be a great man to come off the bench with his pace and energy.
Also Hull City’s Ian Ashbee would have given me a real selection headache if he was available. Although O’Hara has youth on his side, Ashbee has vast experience in his locker and that would probably just seal the deal in his favour.
Strikers
Goals have been a problem for both sides this season and after last weekend’s horror show against Tottenham Dindane isn’t getting anywhere near the starting line-up! He deserves credit for getting into those positions but he must start converting those chances before Hart loses heart in him.
Phil Brown has Daniel Cousin, Ghilas, Fagan, Jan Veenegoor of Hesselink and American Altidore to choose from but none of them have really took the Premier League by storm. Cousin has the strength and guile to hold up the ball and bring teammates into the game but his attitude stinks. Ghilas has pace to burn and looks a tricky customer, Fagan hasn’t played since Sunderland hit the Tigers for four last month, Hesselink’s tall presence seems to encourage defenders to hoof the ball up to the big man, seemingly forgetting that he isn’t exactly the quickest players in the league, while Altidore has the potential to be the first real American football superstar. He has the physical strength to cope with the English game, he has the speed and skill and most importantly he knows where the goals are. Unfortunately City fans have only seen that once so far this season, but his record speaks for itself and he’s only 19.
Paul Hart has a variety of forwards to call on. He has the ever hungry Tommy Smith, the Nigerian powerhouse John Utaka and Lyon’s on-loan Piquionne and former Arsenal man Kanu. Between them they have scored just twice this season, but while Piquionne looks like he is just a goal away from taking the Premier League by storm, I think I would have to plump for former Watford man Tommy Smith. His effort and commitment is first class and his all round team play is superb.
So here’s my ultimate team:
James
Finnan
Kaboul
Wilson
Dawson
Geovanni
Bullard
O’Hara
Boateng (K)
Altidore
Smith
Subs: Myhill, Ben-Haim, Gardner, Belhadj, Hunt, Piquionne and Utaka.
Well, that’s my starting XI. Do you think you could do any better? I’d love to hear from you.
· Calling all Hull City and Portsmouth fans. What do you think of that team? Who have I left out who you think warrants a start in that team? Do you think that team would have enough quality to escape the drop zone? I would love to hear from you.
