The last two matches have given us the first real insight into why Hull City signed Steven Mouyokolo.
The youthful French centre back was a January signing last year but only joined in the summer and has been denied a run of games in his favoured position thanks entirely to the presence of more experienced defenders ahead of him.
He was at least fourth in the pecking order for a central defensive role upon joining, then the departure of Michael Turner elevated him to third. Now an injury to the in-form Kamil Zayatte has offered him his chance - and he has really taken it.
The defence was in slipshod form against Wolves last weekend, with Anthony Gardner resembling a rail accident and the two full backs struggling with positional and distributive issues, but Mouyokolo was a calm, unspectacular and imposing presence, without being absolutely awesome.
But against Chelsea he really raised the bar and, but for the eyecatching displays in midfield by George Boateng and Tom Cairney, would have been praised much more than he actually was. His total domination in the air against an uncompromisingly strong centre forward was galvanised by his coolness in possession and, of course, his potency when getting on the end of set-pieces, earning his first goal for the Tigers in the process.
Mouyokolo's previous involvement had been as a makeshift right back at the start of the season, a necessary repositioning as it was in the black hole period between Sam Ricketts' sale and Paul McShane's arrival, but although rarely embarrassed it was clear he didn't have the athleticism and experience to play there. A 19 year old central defender, new to the country and to the Premier League, debuting at right back against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, was quite a requirement. He succeeded in part, in that he was not a square peg but also never looked like it was there for him to keep.
Zayatte is a cult hero and a fine footballer, and nobody except Mouyokolo himself would have been surprised or disappointed if the Guinean madman had reclaimed his defensive role against Chelsea in midweek, having recovered from the injury that robbed him of his place against Wolves. But Mouyokolo played, played superbly, and has given the fans their first real shot of belief in the ability of a player about whom they still know very little. When Manchester City turn up tomorrow, expect him to play again, and for the Tiger Nation to find out a bit more.
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