Source: SKY_Sports
Out of ideas
Charlie Nicholas told Soccer Saturday that he is worried for a Hull City side that looked devoid of any inspiration against Stoke City.
Phil Brown's side's relegation worries were increased as Stoke secured their Premier League status with little trouble at the KC Stadium.
Goals from Ricardo Fuller and a 25-yard strike from Liam Lawrence put the Potters into a 2-0 lead before a late consolation from Andy Dawson gave the Hull fans something to cheer about.
"They started well for about ten minutes," Nicholas said on Soccer Saturday.
"But then you just wondered if they had the ability and the guile to break Stoke down and I really do worry for them.
"They looked devoid of any ideas and I don't know what else Phil Brown can do. He started with Daniel Cousin up front today with Craig Fagan and Nicky Barmby willing workers in support.
"They had a few opportunities in the first half with the best one falling to Richard Garcia. And Kevin Kilbane had a decent shot at the start of the second half, but Thomas Sorenson made a comfortable save.
"And then of course they scored a late goal through Andy Dawson which lifted the whole place, but it was too little too late.
"They're not good enough at the moment and I don't know how Phil can change it. He's tried different permutations and systems and it's just not working at the moment."
FavouritePhil Brown opted to leave fans favourite Geovanni on the bench until the second half, and while Nicholas believes he will come under criticism for doing so, he admitted he had not been impressed by the Brazilian's recent performances.
He added: "When I watched him the other night against Aston Villa I was disappointed and I don't think Phil was wrong to leave him out, I genuinely don't.
"I'm not making excuses at all for Phil Brown. He has made a lot of mistakes this season and he's probably learnt a lot about himself, but he's made a lot of good ones as well.
"He's tried a different formation again today, and Geovanni hasn't deserved to be in the team.
CongratulationsAs for Stoke, Nicholas congratulated manager Tony Pulis on doing a brilliant job in his first season in the Premier League.
He said: "Let me congratulate Stoke and Tony Pulis. They played some decent stuff today and the second goal from Liam Lawrence was an absolutely outstanding piece of ability.
"Well done to Tony and his staff and his players. It's been a great season for them and they've proved a lot of us, including me, wrong.
