Give A Little Respect

Last updated : 16 September 2008 By Tiger Pen
I don't know about you, but I am fairly sure that the Tigers played at the weekend. I say fairly sure simply because there is very little coverage on the game from the national media. Surely a side who will be "down by Christmas with less points than Derby" winning at the mighty Newcastle is worthwhile news? Seemingly not. Newcastle in distress is all that matters.

Sure Kevin Keegan leaving the Toon Army is news. Not unsurprising though, is it? It's not as if the acclaimed King of the Castle has a record of staying when the going gets tough.

Of course the result would have been so different had Keegan still been in charge. It was only his departure that made Nicky Butt clatter into Halmosi. It was his leaving that resulted in the real King having more space than the entire Metro Centre car park. Honest, had Keegan been there, none of this would have happened.

You can believe that if you want. 50,000 Geordies do but I don't. Facts are quite simple. Hull City AFC is gaining respect slowly but surely. The bookies have started to bring in the odds of the Tigers being relegated. No longer are we favourites for the Premiership's wooden spoon. Indeed, at some places we are on a level footing with Bolton for the drop.

I hear from others that we only won the first game against Fulham because we were on a high from promotion. Does that not count for West Brom and Stoke then? I hear we only beat Newcastle because they were in turmoil. It's not as if we won our last visit in the league 2-1 at St James' is it? Oh hang on, we did! Another favourite of mine is that we have only played teams in the bottom half of the league... could that be because we took points of them, I wonder?

For the record it took Derby 18 matches to gain 7 points last season. Birmingham took 6 matches, whilst Reading and, more importantly, Fulham took 7, so we really are ahead of the targets set for this season. Yes, matches get harder but at the same time City get more accustomed to life in the big pond. Maybe Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are not shaking in their respective boots at the thought of City visiting their gaff, but I bet that Bolton, Blackburn, Middlesborough, West Brom and Stoke are beginning to get concerned at the rapid points collection next to the Tigers' name.

No season is ever won or lost within the first 10 games, however the fantastic start and fighting display of our very own Tigers earns total respect from me and I am sure many others around the country, even if they find it hard to admit as much.

Do you think City are getting enough recognition? Discuss this article on the message board.