Hull Were Architects Of Their Own Downfall, Adkins Rues

7th August 2018

Manager draws positives from opening 3-1 Championship defeat to Villa

Hull City FC manager, Nigel Adkins issues instructions from the touchline during their opening Championship match against Aston Villa FC at the KCOM on Monday, August 6, 2018. PHOTO/Hull City
Hull City FC manager, Nigel Adkins issues instructions from the touchline during their opening Championship match against Aston Villa FC at the KCOM on Monday, August 6, 2018. PHOTO/Hull City
SUMMARY
  • Despite taking the lead after just six minutes at the KCOM Stadium through Evandro, the Tigers conceded three avoidable goals
  • Adkins made two positive changes by bringing Nouha Dicko and David Milinkovic
  • There were positives in the opening hour of the game
  • There were some good things that we did, manager acknowledges

HULL, England- Nigel Adkins admitted his Hull City side were the architects of their own downfall after Monday night's 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa.

Despite taking the lead after just six minutes at the KCOM Stadium through Evandro, the Tigers conceded three avoidable goals which saw the 2018/19 season curtain-raiser end on a disappointing note.

“We can’t concede goals like we did and expect to win games of football,” he said.

“I thought we started well and there was a good energy about us. There was a good energy inside the Stadium.

“We were on the front foot and it was a good finish from Evandro to give us the lead, a lead we thoroughly deserved after the way in which we’d started the game.

“We then conceded a goal from a corner where we’re marking man-to-man and haven’t won the header, which allowed them back into the game.

“Despite taking the lead after just six minutes at the KCOM Stadium through Evandro, the Tigers conceded three avoidable goals after what was a lovely bit of play from us, so I think we were a little bit unlucky to go in 1-1 at the break.

Positive changes

“Again I thought we started the second half well and could have gone 2-1 up after Jarrod was again denied by the keeper.

“I made two positive changes by bringing Nouha Dicko and David Milinkovic on to see if we could push on for the win but we then conceded two poor goals in quick succession, which allowed Aston Villa to put themselves in a possession to go on and win the game.

“Having said that, we could have quite easily scored four goals in the closing period of the game. We had some good chances, but we just didn’t take them.”

Despite the end result, Adkins insists there were still positives to take his from his side’s performance in the opening hour of the game.

“It was disappointing not to come away with the victory but I think everyone could see that we’ve got an honest, hard-working group here,” he added.

“There were some good things that we did in the game. The goals we conceded were bad goals to concede, but you could see the spirit of the players

“We need to keep that spirit. It’s the first game of the season and we’ve got a long, long way to go.

“Yes, we’re disappointed with the result tonight but we’ve got to pick ourselves up and get ready for the next game.

“In the cold light of day I’ll reflect on it but we played some good football at times. The new players settled in and they’ll only get better, which gives us something to build on.”