Quick 2008 Review

By: Matt | January 7th, 2009

2008

A 2008 review basically starts and ends with promotion to the top flight, for the first time in the clubs 104 year history. The start of the year found the Tigers in mid table in the Championship, vaguely threatening the playoff places, but nothing anyone took too seriously. A phenomenal March changed all that, as the Black and Amber roared into the top 5, battled Stoke and WBA for the automatic places, and eventually settled for the playoffs. There they destroyed Watford before defeating a surprising Bristol City in the final at Wembley, with Dean Windass hitting a screamer to send us up.

Premiership

With the summer came the departure of Jay-Jay Okocha (tear), our brilliant, if underused Nigerian playmaker. It would have been a sight to behold if we were able to pair him with Geovanni in the center of the park, but alas. As we looked to build a side that could survive the Premiership, experience was brought in, in the form of PSG all rounder Bernard Mendy, Boro center mid George Boateng, Hungarian Peter Halmosi, and former Bolton man Stelios Giannkopolous. The big coup was the capture of former Barca mid Geovanni, who oozed class at Man City, but was deemed surplus to requirements. Also brought in was highly rated Kamil Zayatte, who hasn’t dissapointed.

Excitment and apprehension were the dominant emotions heading into August, as we stared down our debut versus Fulham. Many were predicting a trip straight back down, as Derby didn’t do promoted teams any favors, by having possibly the worst season in history in 2007-2008. Our performance in the summer friendlies wasn’t exactly filling everyone with confidence either. What a suprise did the Tigers have in store, however.

A look at the fixture list is almost surreal, as the Tigers reeled off wins against Fulham at home, and then amazingly, away to Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle and West Brom, all before November. A drubbing at the hands of Wigan hurt, but there was some solace in watching the pure class of Amr Zaki. As the Tigers sat pretty in the European places, first Champions League, then Europa League (or whatever they’ll call it next year), everyone waited for the inevitable swoon, and a tough fixture list brought it about. Currently with only one win in the last 12, the Tigers still sit comfortably in the table, but manager Phil Brown has warned against complacency, and is looking for at a minimum five more wins to ensure survival.

Some 2008 highlights:

- 3-0 hammering of Watford on March 29. Closed out a month that brought six wins in eight matches, and launched the Tigers into contention.

- The legend Jay Jay Okocha finishes up his Hull career. A short one, but it was an honor to have him. I’m proud to have been able to see him live at a few matches in the Championship.

- Dean Windass hammers home a Frazier Campbell cross at Wembley to send the Tigers up.

- Signing of Geovanni aka the Howitzer.

- Beating Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham to start the season, all in London.

- Phil Brown destroying the lads in the halftime teamtalk……on the pitch against Man City, after the Ciizens ran riot in the first half.

- Sitting at 8th in the table as we move into 2009.

It has been a tremendous year, without question the best in the clubs history. Lets look forward to a long stay in the Premiership, which will be kicked off by another great year in 2009. COYH!!!