Loan Watch: Manucho at Hull City

18 March 09 by Bill

Having missed last month’s Loan Watch, we are going to catch up by giving each player their own round-up since January 16th.

We’re starting with Manucho who is currently on loan with Hull City.

Quick Stats

Games available for selection: 12
Times named in squad: 12
Starts: 3
Substitute Appearances: 6
Goals: 1
Yellow cards: 1
Red cards: 0

Having only joined Hull the day before, Manucho made his debut coming off the bench in the 53rd minute in a difficult home tie with Arsenal. Hull were already down one nil to a 30th minute Emmanuel Adebayor header. Five minutes after his introduction while challenging for the ball with Johan Djourou, Manucho’s game was over. The pair clashed heads leaving Manucho’s eye swollen shut and he left the field with a bag of ice clutched to his face. Hull pulled level through Daniel Cousin but late goals from Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner saw Hull lose the match 3—1 (17/1).

Manucho recovered in time to start in Hull’s next fixture at home to Millwall in the FA Cup. Manucho didn’t make much of an impact on the game. His touch was heavy and he didn’t trouble the Millwall keeper when he did get the chance. His game came to end when he was replaced by Caleb Forlan in the 74th minute. Hull won the game 2—0 (24/1).

Another start for Manucho and another uninspired performance from the Angolan. At times he showed his strength and ability to get on the end of crosses and hold up the ball but his end product was lacking and he was replaced after 52 minutes. Hull’s dire League form continued with their sixth defeat on the spin as they eventually lost 2—0 (28/1).

Manucho was dropped to the bench, and stayed there for the entire match, for the visit of West Brom as Hull’s losing streak came to an end with a 2—2 draw (31/1). A second game on the bench saw a second draw in a row as Hull held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge (7/2). Again, Manucho didn’t make an appearance.

For the third game in a row, Manucho started on the bench as Hull played out another draw away to Sheffield United. The FA Cup fifth round tie ended 1—1 (14/2) with Manucho coming into the fray in the 79th minute. Manucho had an immediate opportunity but failed to take the chance and had little else to do after that.

Again Manucho started on the bench and again he came on in the 79th minute this time at home to Tottenham. Tottenham had taken the lead through Aaron Lennon in the 17th minute but Hull pulled level ten minutes later through Michael Turner. The game had gone rather stale and Manucho’s introduction did nothing to help. He had few touches of the ball and no shots. To make matters worse for Hull, Jonathan Woodgate of all people popped up to head in a cross to win the match for Spurs 2—1 (23/2).

Hull were 2—1 up in the FA Cup replay with Sheffield United when Manucho stepped onto the pitch. Another 34 minutes on the pitch for the Angolan but after an early sniff at goal, the striker had little to do and the match finished 2—1 (26/2).

Back to the Premier League and Hull made it 11 games without a win as they went down 2—1 at home to Blackburn (1/3). Manucho was in the squad but when Hull were reduced to ten men, he was never going to get on.

Finally a win for Hull in the Premier League; another substitute appearance for Manucho but this time he got a goal to boot. Not just a goal, but a 92nd minute, injury time winning goal. The striker came on in the 74th minute and needed three attempts to grab his goal. The first swerved just wide, the second was high, wide and handsome as they say but the third was a deadly touch from just three yards. Hull’s first win in 12 league games; Fulham 0—1 Hull (4/3).

Manucho’s winning goal wasn’t enough to earn him a starting place in Hull’s home tie with Newcastle in their next match so again the Angolan made do with a place on the bench. He was brought on in the 55th minute with the scores tied at one a piece. Manucho lead the line well, his passing was accurate and he had a couple of efforts on goal but failed to make the breakthrough and the game ended 1—1 (14/3).

Hull travelled to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup sixth round (17/3) with Manucho handed his first start since January. It was always going to be a difficult game for Hull and they eventually lost 2—1 despite leading for over an hour. Nick Barmby gave the visitors the lead after his 13th minute shot took a massive delfection en route to goal. Goals from Robert van Persie (74) and William Gallas (84) meant Hull’s FA Cup dream was over and sets up a juicy Arsenal/Chelsea clash semi final. Manucho played well at times but chances were always going to be hard to come by demonstrated by Hulls team tally of six shots on goal. Booked.