Team strengths: Strength in depth, Hull City have a very impressive squad as a whole, something that would’ve been a necessity if their European adventure was as successful as they would’ve had hoped. Bringing in players with the skill and experience of Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez and Michael Dawson to name just a few, is something that Hull fans would never have expected.
Team weaknesses: In contrast to their strength, Hull may just have brought in a few too many players, it’s not the worst problem to have but after being knocked out of the Europa League and also the League Cup, Hull just don’t have enough games to keep their massive squad happy. Steve Bruce built a squad of players capable of competing on four fronts but with only two remaining, some fringe players will begin to knock on the manager’s door asking to either get played or a loan spell.
Star player so far this season: Nikica Jelavic has picked up where he left off last season, only this time he is doing it without strike partner Shane Long who is now at high-flying Southampton. He has scored three goals in six league games along with has linking up well with club record signing Abel Hernandez. Despite becoming an impact sub rather than the talisman he was at the beginning of last season, Robbie Brady has done really well whenever he’s got his chance this season. The Irish international has scored three goals in seven games in all competitions, so if Brady keeps up this form he could once again become the first name on the team sheet.
How did your team do in the transfer window? Very, very well. Hull brought in eleven new players during the transfer window. Nine of these players have played in Britain before so they should know the league well; also, these players are have huge ability. Many have played in World Cups, Champions leagues etc. and they’ll all be great assets to Steve Bruce’s side.
Best starting XI:
Injury concerns: New signing Robert Snodgrass dislocated his knee just a month into his Hull City career and is now expected to miss the full 2014/15 season. Despite that major blow, Hull have no other real injury concerns and even if they did they have a squad fully equipped with back-up
How’s the manager doing thus far this season: Steve Bruce has done a mediocre job so far this term, knocked out of the Europa League by a very average Belgian side, and then picking up six points from six games is far from spectacular but Bruce should have what it takes to revive their season.
Biggest worry for the remainder of the season: the possibility of ‘doing a Tottenham’. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s buying more players than you actually need and in the end upsetting the balance of the squad. So far it hasn’t looked like happening and fans of the Tigers will be praying it doesn’t.
Overall team rating (out of 5 stars): 3.5, should stay up with ease, a slight improvement on last year is to be expected.
