City have lost four of their last six in the Championship
Skipper Lewie Coyle feels his Hull City side needs to find more balance in their play as they search for a solution to their defensive problems.
City conceded four more in the first half of Friday night’s 4-1 thumping at home to Middlesbrough as the Tigers slumped to a fourth defeat in their last six games, missing the chance to go third in the Championship.
The Tigers have now shipped 34 goals in 19 games, and have allowed 300 shots on their goal with teams taking full advantage of their struggles.
While at the other end, Jakirovic’s men have no problem in finding the back of the net, it’s their inability to keep the ball out of their own which is hampering their progress, and Coyle says finding the right balance in their play is crucial.
“As a defender myself, you don’t want to give up easy chances. If teams carve you open with fantastic playing and somebody sticks it in the top corner, sometimes you do have to hold your hand up,” he confessed. “A couple of really good goals, but the manner in which they get into that position on the pitch is not good enough from our side. It’s certainly something that we need to brush up on for sure.
“The word balance is perfect. We need to be a lot more of a balanced side and just more of a complete side over 90 minutes. We give ourselves way too much to do in the second half, and you’re not always going to be able to mount comebacks and get back in the game, especially 4-0 down.”
Many City fans left at 3-0 down, having braved awful weather and traffic conditions to get to the MKM Stadium for what turned out to be a delayed 8:15pm kick-off, and those who waited until full-time were left understandably frustrated, something Coyle understands and accepts.
“I understand frustrations and disappointment. You’re four-nil down at home. There’s going to be criticism, but we take that on the chin. Football changes very, very quickly, and I get there’s certain expectations from fans, especially in their home stadium, so we’ll take that on the chin.”
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