Peter Halmosi has started just one Premier League match for Hull City so far. He is not the only victim of Phil Brown's adventuresome 4-3-3 formation, but he is the one who has had the least chance to shine when changes have been necessary.
For the last two matches, it's Bernard Mendy whom Brown has summoned from the bench to provide the natural width lacking from the original line-up. City have been able to win games down the middle and from set-pieces, but when real, proper, authentic wideplay has been required in attack it's not been there.
Mendy's elevation has been also preferred to that of Halmosi because the width problems, when they have occurred, have come on the right flank. This is largely due to Paul McShane's unwillingness - or inability - to fortify City's attacking options, something which is desperately required of full backs when playing so narrowly. Sam Ricketts can do it on that side, as he can on the left, where Andy Dawson's revelatory form as both defensive lynchpin and offensive outlet has been one of the real highlights of a season crammed with them. Dawson's form has been as much a contributory factor in Halmosi's frustration as the fabled 4-3-3 to begin with.
For all this, Halmosi has looked very good when he has been involved. His one start was against Newcastle United, where he had a splendid day down the left flank and began the move which led to Marlon King's breakaway clincher. He has made telling substitute contributions, especially against Everton and at Tottenham. He did struggle to settle at first, which was natural after a massive money move from Plymouth Argyle, and the decision to alternate the right-sided Craig Fagan and Richard Garcia around the flanks rather than deploy Halmosi's natural left foot did not do him early favours.
But his day will come, and his international claims with Hungary haven't been affected, but he is a hell of an expensive talent not to be involved. One can assume that he is part of Brown's next tactical shuffle, and given the run of three straight defeats, such a shuffle may not be too far away.
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