Hull City's Ahmed Elmohamady plans to be dancing to top again
So much so, in fact, that he started every single league game during the Tigers’ recent two-season sojourn in the top flight.
By the time the Egyptian international was dropped to the bench by Steve Bruce for last September’s 2-0 victory at Cardiff City, he had clocked up 90 consecutive league starts. Only Richard Jobson and Tony Norman have managed more for the East Yorkshire club.
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Hide AdPlus, even when Elmohamady had to be content with entering the fray as a substitute at not only Cardiff but also the following weekend’s home draw with QPR, the wideman was restored to the starting XI and stayed there for the next 18 league outings.
Now, however, things have changed with the return to fitness of Robert Snodgrass and a dip in Elmohamady’s own form meaning the 28-year-old has not started any of the Tigers’ last eight league outings.
It is a frustrating turn of events, as Elmohamady is the first to admit.
“This season has been something I am not used to,” he told The Yorkshire Post about a two-month run where his only starts have come in the FA Cup. “It is a tough time. Every player wants to play.
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Hide Ad“I work very hard in training to try and show the manager what I can do. I have also been playing in the Cup games. I am waiting for my chance.
“Of course, I am not happy to not be playing. Sometimes, it is tough. But the manager has a squad and I respect that. I just wait for my chance.
“When I get that, I have to be at it so that, hopefully, I will not miss any minutes again.”
Elmohamady’s absence from the side has come at a time when his existing contract is into the final few months.
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Hide AdCity officials are hoping the wideman, Tom Huddlestone and Curtis Davies can follow the lead of Allan McGregor and David Meyler in extending their stays.
“We are talking (about a contract),” said Elmohamady. “Everything is ongoing. Everyone wants to play in the Premier League and we have a very great chance to go back there. I want to be in there next season with the club. Fingers crossed, we can keep going and get the points.”
Elmohamady gave Bruce a timely nudge as to his value with an impressive display in Tuesday night’s FA Cup exit against Arsenal.
Employed in the wing-back role that he filled for most of City’s two years in the Premier League, he proved a useful addition to the club’s attacking armoury.
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Hide AdThe Gunners, in knocking Hull out for a third consecutive season, ran out 4-0 winners but the tie was much closer and there were more than a few awkward moments for Arsene Wenger’s men before they netted three times in the final quarter.
“It was a disappointing night, most definitely,” said Elmohamady. “The first goal was a mistake (by David Meyler), everyone makes them. But, after that, we moved on and created several chances of our own.
“We just could not take them and if you don’t take your chances against a big team, you get hurt. That is what happened to us.
“The final result against Arsenal was cruel. When you are 1-0 down against a team like Arsenal, you have to try and score a goal. But that means you can also get hurt. That happened to us.
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Hide Ad“We attacked with six, seven, eight players at times. Arsenal have very good players and when they got the ball they counter-attacked us.
“Now, we move on and concentrate on the league. We have a huge game on Saturday and we have to focus on that.
“Promotion is the main thing now. We have to get back to the Premier League, where we can play teams like Arsenal week in, week out.”
A run of half-a-dozen games that have yielded just seven points together with the good form of others means City have dropped out of the automatic promotion slots.
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Hide AdBrighton’s goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday as Hull were being knocked out of the Cup meant Bruce’s men slipped to fourth, their lowest standing since the turn of the year.
Games in hand on those above the Tigers, however, mean things could change quickly.
Back-to-back home games against MK Dons and Nottingham Forest offer a chance to make up lost ground.
“We are into the last six or seven weeks now,” added Elmohamady.
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Hide Ad“We need to concentrate on that and also winning all the games at the KC. That is the main thing now.”
The Egyptian international was a big part of the Hull side that went up in 2013 and his celebratory dance in the tunnel on the final day as promotion was secured remains an iconic moment in the club’s recent history.
Asked if we can expect a repeat if Bruce’s men return to the Premier League, Elmohamady joked: “Of course, we need to see that dance again.
“It would be nice.”