Is this the least anticipated derby in recent history? I'm talking aggregate anticipation from both sides here.

When I started to going in the late '80's we were a very, very poor side but the derby still had that magic in it (winning those two games were the be all and end all in those days).
As we improved and eventually left Rovers behind in the league below I was less enthusiastic (setting up for a fall, even in a friendly) but it meant the world to the red and whites trying to put one over us.
Then they got promoted and the game was back on again - for real - and generated some of the best atmosphere and gates I've been a part of. Regardless of how we/they were doing if both sides werent eager for it at least one side of Hull relished the opportunity to stick one over the old enemy and the other hoped against all hope the unlikely could be pulled off.

But today I have just had my third conversation of the week with an east huller going along the lines of:
"looking forward to Friday?"
"no"
"me neither, you'll beat us were e"
"nah your kidding aren't you, we're worse and you'll beat us"
"right-o we'll see"
"at least it's Easter so I can have a good drink afterwards"

The apathy is understandable from our side with the whole agar issue tearing peoples loyalties between the win and the possible greater good. From their side I'm not so sure they should be so down about it but they seem to be. Some even questioning Morgans tenancy (madness by the way!)

One thing I know is the build up and banter is severely muted and I've not know it be like it from both sides of the river before.

We have never been in 11th and 12th going into a derby and I don't recall a recent one were both teams were playing poorly. Usually there is one team flying high and the other on a bit of a bad run and thats when the banter starts.

At the moment its a case, ha we beat you and we may move up to 10th!!! Doesn't really have any real meaning to it.

But like I say I've been to many a derby where there was no real meaning to it and still it was meaningful. Look at the friendly at their place where we ended up 10 all I think, the run up to that was great banter but ultimately the game meant nothing.

Hope it's a draw

Isnt this the song Roy Castle used to sing on Record Breakers?

TBH, we haven't been too bad in the last two matches.

it feels like that to me also.the derbies used to be great occasions win or lose.but nowadays the magic seems to have gone out of it and its just another nervey tense game which could go either way.i also think the game itself has changed for the worse with too many petty ref decisions.which make the game more frustrating to watch..having said all that another couple of days wallowing in my self pity and ill be up for the next one!!