Joe Gelhardt has praised Hull City's tactical adjustments following their impressive second-half performance in a 2-0 win at Norwich City. This victory marks Hull's first at Carrow Road in 15 years and has raised expectations ahead of their upcoming match against Derby County on Tuesday. Read more about Martin Targets Return as Norwich and Saints Eye Managerial Change.
The match began unfavourably for Hull, who were fortunate to reach halftime without conceding. Their lacklustre first-half display left them vulnerable, but Gelhardt changed the dynamic shortly after the break by scoring his fourth goal in as many matches. Darko Gyabi later added another goal, ensuring a comfortable win for the Tigers while deepening Norwich City's troubles, as they now find themselves in the Championship's relegation zone. Read more about Hughes Targets Redemption as Hull Face Norwich at Carrow Road.
“It’s a tough place to come, Norwich,” Gelhardt told Hull Live. “I know the position in the league, where they are is unfortunate, but we know they've still got great quality players, so we've got to take it seriously and that's what we did. First half, we weren't great, but in the second half we made tactical adjustments and we were a lot better.”
Reflecting on the first half, Gelhardt acknowledged Hull’s fortunate position, stating, “To be fair, I think we were lucky to go in at the break at 0-0, and they had good chances, but that's what good teams do. We stayed in the game, and that's exactly what we did. We were much more aggressive on the front foot, and we put two chances to bed, and we won the game.”
The young forward candidly assessed the team's overall performance, admitting, “We know how much better we can play. You can't blame everything on tactics. Our energy weren't good enough, our intensity as players on the pitch ourselves, and we knew that, so it was disappointing knowing that we could have given more. I think in the second half, we came out and we showed what we're really about.” Read more about Football Mourns as Willie Young Passes Away at 73.
As Hull extended their lead, the atmosphere at Carrow Road turned increasingly hostile, a situation Gelhardt felt was advantageous for his side. “We knew the situation with the fans, and they're obviously not happy, so we tried to play on that, have a good start. Obviously, that never worked in the first half, and they were getting behind them. When I scored, it started getting a bit toxic and whatnot, and you know, as players, you have to play on that, you've got to use every advantage.”
Gelhardt also revealed that he played through illness to contribute significantly to the win, saying, “I woke up and I wasn't feeling well, to be fair. I felt all right when I got on the pitch. My throat was a bit sore. My breathing wasn't great, but it was all right and I got through it.”
For Norwich City, the defeat continues a troubling streak, leaving them four points adrift of safety after suffering their seventh consecutive home loss. Fans expressed their dissatisfaction through protests, reflecting a growing concern over the team’s ongoing struggles.
Norwich must quickly regroup. Their next match will see them travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday, who currently sit at the bottom of the league table. Addressing their alarming tendency for second-half collapses will be crucial for their survival in the Championship.