G.M's PlayOff Preview: Hull Will Try To Kill Off Nearly Dead Derby
Tuesday, 17th May 2016 07:18 by George Martin

This has been the hardest preview to write in the 3 seasons that I have been doing so.

Hard because Saturday was such a huge disappointment. Hard because it felt like the 90 minutes summed up the majority of the season. And hard because even the most loyal and die-hard fans must be struggling to give Derby any hope of getting to Wembley.

Most fans agreed the best option in midfield was to start Bradley Johnson midfield with Thorne and Hanson injured and Baird only just coming back from being on loan. However, what bemused fans was Johnson playing further forward and Hughes stuck in and around the half way line 40 years from the oppositions danger area.

Hughes was virtually unplayable against Brighton and to put him in the deeper holding midfield role was a crucial mistake. The tactic of Keogh and Shackell being asked to chip the ball diagonally over and over again was also shocking. To still be doing it I the second half was naive.

Johnson's mistake led to Hull City's first goal. The way his head and ability then 'went' was astonishing. Passing accuracy, control and tackles, all gone.

To see Johnson come out for the second half was just as astonishing. If he has been called Jeff Hendrick and came through our youth system, he'd have been subbed. Johnson did then get subbed on 60 odd minutes. What a total waste of time the first 15 minutes of the second half was.

Well done Wassall and the coaching staff, including Redknapp (not).

Therefore what team and formation Wassall starts with is anyone's guess. When this team go a goal down, they struggle. This has been proven time and time again. They very rarely come back from behind and win. I think it is twice in the league in 14 to 15 months.

Butterfield or Hendrick could come into midfield and Blackman may start on the wing. Russell again proved he is not good enough against a top 6 side. Weimann could make the bench or possibly replace Russell.

Hull are likely to be unchanged. They could sit back, soak up pressure and catch Derby on the break. However they are likely to come at Derby, as the home team normally does and try and get an early goal to totally kill off the already wounded and nearly dead Derby.

Prediction:

It is anyone's guess what this score line could be. I would also like to personally thank Sky Sports for moving the game from Sky Sports 1 to Sky Sports 2. In its place - a dead rubber friendly between Man United's reserves and Bournemouth. Disgraceful.

2-1 to Hull

Thank you for reading the previews and have a great summer.

Take care and barring a miracle tonight - see you next season!