Post by Macmoish on Jan 28, 2011 8:20:33 GMT
NOTE: THIS Q&A with a Hull fan was done in January before our visit there. It's not been updated.
Matt Wilson from Vital Hull (www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk) very kindly agreed to answer my Q&A prior to the Hull-QPR game. Very many thanks to Matt
HULL QUESTIONS & ANWERS - Matt Wilson from Vital Hull (www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk)
Starting simply: How long have you supported Hull? And how long have you been involved with the Vital Hull Website? (How do you get on with the other Hull fan sites: Are there any serious inter-Hull Messageboard conflicts (as there certainly are between certain QPR boards)?
I have been the editor of Vital Hull for just over 5 years, it's a fantastic network that has grown steadily over the years and provided competition to the more established sites. There are 5 established Hull forums, each catering for a different type of fan. There is inevitable rivalry but I think all users get along in the most part. I started supporting City following from my Dad so have followed the club all my life, regularly attending from the age of 8.
Do Hull have one (or two) special rivals? If so, Is it a mild dislike or a viceral hatred? (and do supporters of those clubs feel the same way about Hull)?
Our local rivals are Sc**thorpe United and Grimsby Town, but our main rivals have always been viewed as Leeds United or Sheffield United. Only Sc**thorpe have a real interest in Hull as a rival - the other Yorkshire clubs focusing on each other instead, Robert K
What do you think of your current manager? What did you think of his predecessor?
Nigel Pearson has steadily imporved an inhenrently poor squad after the Brown / Dowie relegation campaign. He has worked astutely in the transfer market, bringing the likes of Koren and Rosenion in on free deals while ensuring high earners were taken off the wage bill. Six months in, a good job as City manager so far.
What do you think of the current Hull Chairman and Board of Directors? WHY are they involved with Hull? What do you expect? Could they realistically have done more to have kept you up last season (after a remarkable first season)?
Our Chairman sold the club in November and the new owners Assem and Ehab Allam have moved quickly to invest in the playing squad. We spent above our means in the Premier League, offering poor players too good deals. Greater financial control should have been exerted to avoid the troubles we had this season, which nearly led to administration.
Are you disappointed with how Hull are doing this season? In your heart of hearts, did you really expect promotion this season? Do you expect to improve? (You seem to be surging now; Simpson is scoring finally...and you just bought a couple of additional strikers)
I expected us to be challenging nearer the top but after the poor start and off the field struggles, we've steadily improved as new faces have been brought in. I am quite content at this moment in time, but wins against QPR and Leeds in the space of three days will give hope of a late play-off push. Two defeats, and mid-table may await.
Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?
Robert Koren can be our creative spark in midfield, while Matty Fryatt has impressed since joining from Leicester City. Both are key figures in City's attacking play, while Cameron Stewart provides an additional threat on the opposite flank.
Prediction for season promotion/relegation places - And how would that compare with pre-season prediction?
Promotion: QPR & Forest / Play-off's: Watford.
Relegation: Preston, Sc**thorpe & Derby County
What is your view and the general Hull view of QPR (If we even feature in your consciousness)?
There have been slight undertones in our matches since we met in 2005 but there is little feeling otherwise.
Over the years: A few shared players including Simpson.
Jay Simpson struggled for goals when he arrived, failing to score in 15 appearances and then netting 4 in two games. He has lost his place to Mclean and Fryatt in recent weeks and is now on the bench, being used sparingly. He is yet to really impress in the black and amber shirt of The Tigers.
I think back to QPR and Hull of the mid and late 1960s. Hull were the first game of the season after our humiliating relegation from the old Division One. (QPR won 3-0) against Terry Neil's Hull! I guess the one especially jarring moment for QPR fans was a couple of years back, when some Hull fans seemed to be mocking the London bombing (7/11)
My recent memories always involved QPR having a new manager when the teams met at Loftus Road. At the KC, we seem to have a decent record, including a late and memorable 2-1 victory thanks to late goals from Stuart Elliott.
What are your past Encounter Memories - Best Memory/Worst Memory of PastHull-QPR Encounters? Who is your favourite QPR Player over the years? (And your least favourite)? Ditto any view of Neil Warnock?
Neil Warnock is a good manager but does not endear himself to the opposition; over recent years, I was a fan of Akos Buzsaky and wouldn't have minded his attacking prowess in a City side.
We've both had narrow by the teeth survival - QPR were in administration and in the (old) Third Division...Hull were in the (old) Fourth Division and then climbed back up. Do you think that gives a certain sense of perspective re the importance of success vs Failures versus just surviving?
It makes you appreciate the better times more often; having watched City nearer the bottom of a table more often than the top, it made me appreciate the Premier League years and the successes of the years prior to that.
Are you looking forward to playing QPR?
I'd have rather played you in December as arranged but, if we get off to a good start; I think we can find the victory we need.
SCORE PREDICTION for QPR-Hull?
1-1
- Where, realistically, do you think Hull will be in five years time?
- Do you have any advice for QPR fans, in the event that we do go up? (Spend more/spend less; keep the manager; change the manager, etc)
- What do you think of your new stadium? Who actually paid for it? Who actually owns it? It seems that your attendance went up with the new stadium. (There's been talk of QPR moving to a new stadium, so there's an interest in the experience of others)
Once again, very many thanks Vital Hul's Matt Wilson www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk
Matt Wilson from Vital Hull (www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk) very kindly agreed to answer my Q&A prior to the Hull-QPR game. Very many thanks to Matt
HULL QUESTIONS & ANWERS - Matt Wilson from Vital Hull (www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk)
Starting simply: How long have you supported Hull? And how long have you been involved with the Vital Hull Website? (How do you get on with the other Hull fan sites: Are there any serious inter-Hull Messageboard conflicts (as there certainly are between certain QPR boards)?
I have been the editor of Vital Hull for just over 5 years, it's a fantastic network that has grown steadily over the years and provided competition to the more established sites. There are 5 established Hull forums, each catering for a different type of fan. There is inevitable rivalry but I think all users get along in the most part. I started supporting City following from my Dad so have followed the club all my life, regularly attending from the age of 8.
Do Hull have one (or two) special rivals? If so, Is it a mild dislike or a viceral hatred? (and do supporters of those clubs feel the same way about Hull)?
Our local rivals are Sc**thorpe United and Grimsby Town, but our main rivals have always been viewed as Leeds United or Sheffield United. Only Sc**thorpe have a real interest in Hull as a rival - the other Yorkshire clubs focusing on each other instead, Robert K
What do you think of your current manager? What did you think of his predecessor?
Nigel Pearson has steadily imporved an inhenrently poor squad after the Brown / Dowie relegation campaign. He has worked astutely in the transfer market, bringing the likes of Koren and Rosenion in on free deals while ensuring high earners were taken off the wage bill. Six months in, a good job as City manager so far.
What do you think of the current Hull Chairman and Board of Directors? WHY are they involved with Hull? What do you expect? Could they realistically have done more to have kept you up last season (after a remarkable first season)?
Our Chairman sold the club in November and the new owners Assem and Ehab Allam have moved quickly to invest in the playing squad. We spent above our means in the Premier League, offering poor players too good deals. Greater financial control should have been exerted to avoid the troubles we had this season, which nearly led to administration.
Are you disappointed with how Hull are doing this season? In your heart of hearts, did you really expect promotion this season? Do you expect to improve? (You seem to be surging now; Simpson is scoring finally...and you just bought a couple of additional strikers)
I expected us to be challenging nearer the top but after the poor start and off the field struggles, we've steadily improved as new faces have been brought in. I am quite content at this moment in time, but wins against QPR and Leeds in the space of three days will give hope of a late play-off push. Two defeats, and mid-table may await.
Who are you Dangermen/Most valued/most overrated/most underrated players?
Robert Koren can be our creative spark in midfield, while Matty Fryatt has impressed since joining from Leicester City. Both are key figures in City's attacking play, while Cameron Stewart provides an additional threat on the opposite flank.
Prediction for season promotion/relegation places - And how would that compare with pre-season prediction?
Promotion: QPR & Forest / Play-off's: Watford.
Relegation: Preston, Sc**thorpe & Derby County
What is your view and the general Hull view of QPR (If we even feature in your consciousness)?
There have been slight undertones in our matches since we met in 2005 but there is little feeling otherwise.
Over the years: A few shared players including Simpson.
Jay Simpson struggled for goals when he arrived, failing to score in 15 appearances and then netting 4 in two games. He has lost his place to Mclean and Fryatt in recent weeks and is now on the bench, being used sparingly. He is yet to really impress in the black and amber shirt of The Tigers.
I think back to QPR and Hull of the mid and late 1960s. Hull were the first game of the season after our humiliating relegation from the old Division One. (QPR won 3-0) against Terry Neil's Hull! I guess the one especially jarring moment for QPR fans was a couple of years back, when some Hull fans seemed to be mocking the London bombing (7/11)
My recent memories always involved QPR having a new manager when the teams met at Loftus Road. At the KC, we seem to have a decent record, including a late and memorable 2-1 victory thanks to late goals from Stuart Elliott.
What are your past Encounter Memories - Best Memory/Worst Memory of PastHull-QPR Encounters? Who is your favourite QPR Player over the years? (And your least favourite)? Ditto any view of Neil Warnock?
Neil Warnock is a good manager but does not endear himself to the opposition; over recent years, I was a fan of Akos Buzsaky and wouldn't have minded his attacking prowess in a City side.
We've both had narrow by the teeth survival - QPR were in administration and in the (old) Third Division...Hull were in the (old) Fourth Division and then climbed back up. Do you think that gives a certain sense of perspective re the importance of success vs Failures versus just surviving?
It makes you appreciate the better times more often; having watched City nearer the bottom of a table more often than the top, it made me appreciate the Premier League years and the successes of the years prior to that.
Are you looking forward to playing QPR?
I'd have rather played you in December as arranged but, if we get off to a good start; I think we can find the victory we need.
SCORE PREDICTION for QPR-Hull?
1-1
- Where, realistically, do you think Hull will be in five years time?
- Do you have any advice for QPR fans, in the event that we do go up? (Spend more/spend less; keep the manager; change the manager, etc)
- What do you think of your new stadium? Who actually paid for it? Who actually owns it? It seems that your attendance went up with the new stadium. (There's been talk of QPR moving to a new stadium, so there's an interest in the experience of others)
Once again, very many thanks Vital Hul's Matt Wilson www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk