MIKE PHELAN: ON DAVID MARSHALL

Has it all gone wrong for David Marshall since leaving Cardiff City for Premier League Hull City?

By Jack Vittles


David Marshall moved to Hull City for £5 million in the summer, but has struggled since stepping up to the Premier League

It's been far from plain sailing for David Marshall since leaving Cardiff City. The former Bluebirds captain made the £5 million move to Hull City just before the transfer window slammed shut in the summer, and it's not been the start he hoped for since joining Mike Phelan's side.

The Scotland international was one of Cardiff's most consistent players over his seven seasons in South Wales, and was widely considered one of the best keepers outside of the Premier League.

However, since moving to Hull, Marshall has conceded 17 goals in six Premier League appearances for the Tigers. It's been something of a baptism of fire for the 31-year-old as his club performances have seen him miss out at international level.

Marshall has been Gordon Strachan's Number 1 for Scotland for the past six months, starting six consecutive games ahead of Celtic stopper Craig Gordon.

But he was left out of the starting XI that lost 3-0 to England on Friday night as Gordon took his place. The blow came just a few days after his club boss Mike Phelan revealed that he came close to leaving Marshall out of his Hull side to take on Southampton before the international break.

Having not won any of his first five matches, shipping 16 goals in total, Phelan told the Hull Daily Mail that he had considered taking his keeper out of the firing line.

"I did, yes. You have got to. You have to look at it and analyse why these things are happening.

"It is extremely difficult for a goalkeeper when goals are scored against you on a regular basis. In some circumstances, I felt for him because he couldn't do a lot with many of those goals."

Marshall can still not afford to rest on his laurels after Hull's recent win however, as he has Swiss international Eldin Jakupovic snapping at his heels on Humberside as well as fellow Scot Alan McGregor.

While, at international level, the former Bluebird is locked in a three-way battle for the goalkeeping spot with Gordon and McGregor.

Phelan however is confident that Marshall will come through this tricky patch.

"I had invested in Marshall and I felt he was the goalkeeper who could kick us on a bit. He has been unfortunate because we played all the top teams and he suffered through that.

"I was really chuffed for him (against Southampton) because it is never easy when picking the ball out of your net."

As Cardiff City fans can tell him, if Marshall can recapture his Bluebirds form, Phelan may just have a keeper capable of keeping Hull City in the Premier League this season.

But he needs support from his defence and that was what let him down when we were in the premiership we thought Caulker was the answer and he wasnt and Marshal will do all he can but what I have seen of Hull their defence have let him down many times

But he needs support from his defence and that was what let him down when we were in the premiership we thought Caulker was the answer and he wasnt and Marshal will do all he can but what I have seen of Hull their defence have let him down many times

I have to agree. Marshall needs support from his team mates and (from what I've seen of him) he isn't to blame. However, every layer needs confidence and he's bound to have taken a bit of a mental knock of late

Couldn't do much about the goals conceded but considered dropping him and saw that as the issue, what a clown.

Couldn't do much about the goals conceded but considered dropping him and saw that as the issue, what a clown.

I think he meant it was having an effect on confidence; but I may be wrong

Couldn't do much about the goals conceded but considered dropping him and saw that as the issue, what a clown.

I think he meant it was having an effect on confidence; but I may be wrong

It's the bit that he analyses what is going wrong which I thought he was hinting at Marshall then felt sorry for him, that's where I get the mixed signal.. for me it is down to the defence and how openly they try to play.

Overrated by many City fans,we got rid at right time,should have kept Heaton instead?

Overrated by many City fans,we got rid at right time,should have kept Heaton instead?

Glad to hear someone else think the same as I did. Not much in it but Heaton was a better keeper in my opinion.

Overrated by many City fans,we got rid at right time,should have kept Heaton instead?

Heaton went a long time ago - We were blessed to have 2 good keepers at the time.

If Heaton was still here we would all be pleased - Going to take sometime before we get close to the above 2

A good shot stopper, but all round good keeper Marshall is not. We should have got Hennessey quality.