Hurry up, Phil - the taxi’s outside

The resignation of Paul Duffen as Hull City Chairman, and the imminent arrival of Adam Pearson at the club can only mean one thing. Hull fans, get behind the sofa - David O’Leary is on his way.

Pearson was the Commercial Director of Leeds United during O’Leary’s time there, but managed to get out in 2001 before it all went a little bankrupt. The two have since remained firm friends, and Villa fans will recall a 3rd Round FA Cup tie back in 2006 (when O’Leary’s Villa won 1-0 at the KC,) in which the Irish scoundrel spent much of the game waving and winking at the Hull chairman. Post-match O’Leary added:

“I always look out for Hull’s results because I know Adam Pearson, the chairman here, very well from our days together at Leeds and really like him.”

Hull fans - are you ready to be told you have a young side and not to expect too much. Leave us your thoughts below…

Coming to a computer near you

Maybe these figures are the reason why Phil Brown is currently clearing his desk
( Guardian )

Fancy doing a bit of lawnwork at the Molineux. Now is your chance
( Dirty Tackle )

Walcott WAG doing what she does best
( Kickette )

And you thought Ashley was bad - meet the Australian owner who is trying to limit his club’s attendance
( Dirty Tackle )

Aloof, arrogant et al - it’s the Daniel Sturridge story
( The Sun )

Strong rumours reaching thespoiler

Paddy Power already have a market up for next boss, intended to go live at 10pm tonight. Andy Burton has now reported it on Twitter (albeit after thespoiler broke it.)

Is this the end for Mr Orange? And how extraordinary does this make that vote of confidence yesterday?

Coming to a computer near you…

Rumours abound that the World in Motion reprise is on
( Off the Post )

Jimmy Bullard has bits of dead men in him
( Off the Post )

Interestment have gone early on their World Cup XI
( Interestment )

Stephen Hunt brilliantly calls Eamon Dunphy a, “skinny little rat”

Jermain Defoe’s ex has upped her game (NSFW)
( The Sun )

Hull boss believes his side’s 1-6 versus Liverpool was ever so similar to Fiorentina’s 2-0 victory

To the layman observer of professional football, Liverpool’s last two matches have been a little different. On the one hand, a porous defence seemingly intent on allowing Fernando Torres the match ball, ends up on the receiving end of a 6-1 lamping. On the other, the home side restrict Torres to scraps, and emerge comfortable winners with a 2-0 scoreline that flattered Benitez’s boys. Phil Brown however, is no layman. He understands better than us.

Commenting on the Tigers triumph at Anfield last Saturday, Brown explained:

“I got the boys in on Sunday to analyse and dissect what went on on Saturday. The most important thing was that I knew the gameplan was right. I watched very closely Fiorentina do exactly the same gameplan and it paid off.”

In other words, the 6-1 was certainly not his fault, and so convincing was Hull’s performance, that former Serie A Coach of the Year Cesare Prandelli only went and pinched Brown’s tactical strategy.

There is no great genius without a touch of madness. At least that is what Aristotle believed. And probably Phil Brown too.

1m British pounds for anyone who can name this man

Hull’s relegation-threatened peers have been waking up in cold sweats all week, at the prospect of Sir Alex Ferguson bringing a weakened squad across the M62 for Man Utd’s final day visit to the KC Stadium.

After some half-hearted reassurances that he might be able to sort something out…maybe…possibly…if he has time, with the squad finally announced it looks like SAF has pretty much confirmed his belief that Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough can go swivel, as he has a Champions League final to prepare for.

Gold star for anyone (who isn’t a United fan) that can put a face to every one of these names:

Use your vote wisely

The scenario: You’re the manager of a Premier League team, and you’re allowed to strengthen your squad by signing just one player in the January transfer window. But you can only choose someone from Phil Brown’s bunch of overachievers - so who do you pick?

Your options: Brazilian Geovanni leaps to mind, but don’t forget the likes of Daniel Cousin, Boaz Myhill and George Boateng. And no, you can’t choose Phil Brown, even if you’d like to.

There can be only one. Vote below:

Today’s moment of football karma

Enjoy this fan’s eye view of Hull City sub Dean Windass doing his best to upset Rory Delap’s dangerous long throw-in, during Saturday’s match at Stoke. Deano got away with it this time, but was shown a yellow card when he tried, with typical lack of subtlety, to put off Delap again.

Not that Windass is to blame. It was Phil Brown’s idea to use his sub to delay Delap - the Hull manager is well-know for such cheeky tactical ploys, from his days as Big Sam Allardyce’s assistant at Bolton Wanderers. And if you’re going to use one of your players to put the fear of God into the opposition, who better than Windass?