Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Hull City
Cardiff City welcome Hull City to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening (08/11), 7.45pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Hull City’s new head coach is former right-back Liam Rosenior, who was appointed last week, as the Tigers found their replacement for previous manager Shota Arveladze.
Rosenior made 161 appearances in black and amber during a five-year spell from 2010 to 2015, gaining promotion from the Championship in 2012/13 and was also part of the side that reached the FA Cup final in 2014.
Since his retirement, the former full-back has had positions as assistant coach at Brighton and Hove Albion’s U23s, first-team coach under Phillip Cocu at Derby County, as well as being promoted to assistant manager of the Rams following the arrival of Wayne Rooney.
Following Rooney’s departure, Rosenior was named interim boss, winning seven of his 12 games in charge. In his first game at the helm at Hull City, the Tigers battled to a goalless draw at Millwall, despite playing over an hour with ten men.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | LAST THREE
Hull City have recorded just one point in their last three fixtures, ending October with a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, succumbing to Sammie Szmodics’ only goal.
The Tigers are currently 18th in terms of home records in the Championship and began November by falling to their sixth loss at home this season, with Middlesbrough securing a convincing 3-1 win.
In Rosenior’s first game in charge at the weekend, the Tigers showed fight, after they were reduced to ten men, following a red card to star man Óscar Estupiñán. In a dogged performance, Rosenior’s men held out for a goalless draw and an important point.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYERS
One of the Tigers’ main dangers is undoubtedly striker Estupiñán, who has made a formidable start to life in the Championship. The Colombian international has netted an impressive eight goals so far this season, having moved to the club this summer from Portuguese side Vitória de Guimarães. However, the striker was awarded a straight red card in their goalless draw with Millwall, meaning he will be suspended for the clash at CCS.
Fellow recruit Ozan Tufan arrived at the MKM Stadium this summer with great pedigree, having made 65 appearances for the Turkish National Team. Much like Estupiñán, the midfielder has made an early impression at his new club, netting three goals so far this campaign.
With many of the Tigers’ squad new to the Championship, the experience of right-back Ryan Christie is important. The 29-year-old has represented the likes of Derby County, Middlesbrough and Fulham on permanent spells and is a two-time Championship play-offs winner.
CLUB FLASHBACK | EMMANUEL-THOMAS NETS FIRST CITY GOAL
The Bluebirds earned an impressive victory over Hull City back in February 2011 to record City’s first win in Hull for 13 years.
A fantastic cross from Kevin McNaughton saw Michael Chopra head past Brad Guzan from close-range to give City the lead.
Substitute Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, on loan from Arsenal, made an impact off the bench to make sure of the points. His stunning effort in injury time gave City an important win and ended the hosts’ nine-game unbeaten run.
