The Premier League new boys could find life tough at the top.
Manager’s job security: Steve Bruce gets a hard time of it if history is anything to go by, but the former Sunderland boss knows a thing or two about keeping sides in the Premier League. Unless things go drastically wrong expect Bruce to be there come May 2014.
Captain: Robert Koren.
Last season: 2nd (in the Championship).
Players in: Maynor Figueroa (Wigan, free), George Boyd (Peterbrough, free), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland, £2m), Curtis Davies (Birmingham, £2.3m), Allan McGregor (Besiktas, £1.5m), Steve Harper (Newcastle United, free), Danny Graham (Sunderland, loan), Yannick Sagbo (Evian, £1.5m).
Players out: Paul McKenna (released), Seyi Olofinjana (released), Andy Dawson (Scunthorpe, free), Danny East (Portsmouth, free), Jay Simpson (released), Mark Cullen (Luton Town), Sonny Bradley (Portsmouth), Francis McCaffrey (Dundalk FC), Jamie Devitt (Chesterfield), Danny Emerton (Northampton), Corry Evans (Blackburn).
Aims: Hull have one objective and that is to avoid relegation and having had a good crack at it a few years ago, this is not as far-fetched as it may seem. Bruce has a very tough task ahead though.
Key player: Danny Graham – The Sunderland striker struggled after making a £5m switch from Swansea City in January, but Graham did enough for the Swans in 2011/12 to show that at a promoted club the forward can provide goals.
Needs to improve: Curtis Davies – The centre-back has had a fair few attempts at the Premier League now having had nearly £18m spent on Davies, including a whopping £9m from Aston Villa back in 2008.
Now 28-years-old Davies need to prove that he can cut it at the top end of the football league or remain as a Championship player.
Big summer signing: Maynor Figueroa – Although the left-back arrived on a free transfer, the former Wigan man has plenty of Premier League experience and has been one of the Latics best players over the past few seasons.
One to watch: George Boyd – Spent last year on-loan with the Tigers and impressed enough during 13 matches for the club to make the deal permanent. Although Boyd has never cut it at the top the midfielder could be a key player for Hull.
What do they need? In negative terms a miracle. In positive terms they need strengthening in all areas (except perhaps in goal where Harper and McGregor are solid). Hull are really lacking Premier League quality and of the three sides going up are likely to find life the hardest.
fanatix prediction: 20th – To be honest there doesn’t seem like much hope for Hull, with other relegation candidates spending bigger and better than the Tigers, it seems hard to look past bottom of the pack. Bruce will ensure they go down fighting but Hull are likely to finish with only pride.
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