RSS
ATOM
Paul Merson: Jozy Altidore Substitution Changed The Game For Hull
The attacker-turned-pundit thought Altidore's removal from the game robbed Hull City of its best attacking option.
Jan 30, 2010 5:39:00 PM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Former England international Paul Merson has criticized Hull City manager Phil Brown for substituting Jozy Altidore in the 69th minute against the Wolverhampton Wolves.
By that point the American had assisted one and won a penalty to put the Tigers ahead twice, only to see the Wolves claw their way level each time. Altidore even had a one-on-one which Wolves 'keeper and fellow American Marcus Hahnemann saved.
Two minutes after Matt Jarvis evened up the score at 2-2, Brown threw in his new Egyptian signing Amr Zaki to replace the 20-year-old USA international.
"I can't believe Phil Brown made the substitution,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Jozy Altidore was a threat, an absolute threat. He set up the first, then won the penalty but he had a one-on-one and Hahnemann made the save - but Wolves were relieved to see him go off because he was a big, big threat.
"Zaki came on and did alright but not as well as Altidore. I thought that substitution changed the game."
Altidore helped get the ball rolling in the 11th minute. Holding off two defenders, he fed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Dutchman hit a left-footed drive from 20 yards to open the scoring.
An Anthony Gardner own-goal evened proceedings in the second half before Altidore won a penalty. Ronald Zubar climbed all over the American in the box, leaving the referee little choice.
"I thought it was the worst decision I have seen in a long time," mused Wolves manager Mick McCarthy to the Guardian, pausing for dramatic effect. "By Ronald Zubar. The penalty was a penalty. No question."
After Altidore left the pitch with some 20 minutes left in the game, both sides cooled and shared the points equally.
For more on Americans abroad, visit Goal.com's dedicated page
By that point the American had assisted one and won a penalty to put the Tigers ahead twice, only to see the Wolves claw their way level each time. Altidore even had a one-on-one which Wolves 'keeper and fellow American Marcus Hahnemann saved.
Two minutes after Matt Jarvis evened up the score at 2-2, Brown threw in his new Egyptian signing Amr Zaki to replace the 20-year-old USA international.
"I can't believe Phil Brown made the substitution,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Jozy Altidore was a threat, an absolute threat. He set up the first, then won the penalty but he had a one-on-one and Hahnemann made the save - but Wolves were relieved to see him go off because he was a big, big threat.
"Zaki came on and did alright but not as well as Altidore. I thought that substitution changed the game."
Altidore helped get the ball rolling in the 11th minute. Holding off two defenders, he fed Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Dutchman hit a left-footed drive from 20 yards to open the scoring.
An Anthony Gardner own-goal evened proceedings in the second half before Altidore won a penalty. Ronald Zubar climbed all over the American in the box, leaving the referee little choice.
"I thought it was the worst decision I have seen in a long time," mused Wolves manager Mick McCarthy to the Guardian, pausing for dramatic effect. "By Ronald Zubar. The penalty was a penalty. No question."
After Altidore left the pitch with some 20 minutes left in the game, both sides cooled and shared the points equally.
For more on Americans abroad, visit Goal.com's dedicated page
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
24 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RANKINGS: Top three American players all have the week off
Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan were both out of action but remain the top two names on the board.
-
RIGG: Banega joins list of humorous self-inflicted soccer injuries
Professional soccer players injure themselves in a variety of darkly humorous and preventable ways. Banega, by forgetting the handbrake, joins an extensive list.
-
COHEN: When is it time for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger to part ways?
Arsenal's Wenger and Chelsea's Andres Villas-Boas are on the hot seat, and people need to accept that Robbie Keane would rather play in a top league than MLS.
-
ROSANO: Club America secures win emblematic of tight Clausura race
Club America won at home for the first time since August, but coach Miguel Herrera acknowledged the need for improvement. Pachuca coach Efrain Flores lamented the tight result.
-
FOX Soccer Plus free preview - EPL, UCL, Serie A and more
Sign up for FOX Soccer Plus today for access to Premier League, Champions League, Serie A and over 600 exclusive events!
Advertisement
Advertisement