We came, we saw, we failed to conquer. No capturing the City or taking the Tigers by the tail for us! Instead we once again threw away a narrow lead and collapsed under very little pressure.
It was like a replay of the match against Liverpool only with less quality. Hull had nothing to stop us - watching keeper Myhill warm up it was evident that his kicking left something to be desired, and had Aliadiere or Digard put some power behind their shots, Boro would have been ahead earlier.
Both Frenchman made up for their tame shots with energetic and creative performances, Aliadiere, Justin Hoyte and the walking wounded Didier Digard worked their socks off for the team forming an impenetrable triangle and creating fluid and incisive link-up play which eventually produced Boro's only goal of the game, from Tuncay.
But they created more than one goal scoring opportunity and one man repeatedly wasted the chances.
At Thursday's pre-match press conference, Aliadiere said that you couldn't say Alves was trying too hard to score because a striker is always trying to score. Well, you certainly couldn't say Alves was trying too hard yesterday!
I'm not a fan of Alves, I think I have made that clear, not just because he isn't scoring, is pushed off the ball too easily and can't run a few yards without falling over, although that is plenty to be getting along with, no it is because when the chips are down and it is time to fight, he opts out. Every time.
Having conceded a stupid own goal minutes after jubilant celebrations from fans and players alike, we then topped off a spectacular display of capitulation by conceding a penalty and losing 2-1.
Wheater did not deserve his marching orders. It was an incredibly soft claim for a penalty, particularly as Hull had been 'nudging' Boro players off the ball all afternoon. Football is a physical game and a bit of push and shove is part of it, that is fine but it has got to work both ways. Marlon King in particular had enjoyed a few one on one battles where Boro were left unprotected by the ref so it was a real kick in the teeth when he scored the winning goal with a scruffy penalty.
Wheater will be missed during his ban and with Riggott still injured and Huth 'returning to training' every couple of weeks but never showing his face on the subs' bench let alone in the team, Southgate might have to rely on another of his academy products to cover.
Arsenal visit the Riverside next weekend and Boro have a lot to prove. Personally I'd bench Alves if only for not even trying, let alone his monumental loss of form. If Mido feels like playing, stick him up front, but actually Aliadiere will be chomping at the bit to get at his old team and if memory serves, he used to link up pretty damn well with Tuncay, before the arrival of our £12.5 million pound flop.
Adam Johnson would also get a full game on the wing in what is looking like a make it here or go elsewhere season for him and if fit O'Neil would have to fight it out for a place in centre mid because right now you just can't drop Didier Digard.
Even with a head injury and from the look of some of his decision making, blurred vision, Digard just keeps going. A bit like the energiser bunny but tougher!
Bring on the Gunners, because now we really have to go for it!
First published on www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/fanzone - Dec 08
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