Season Preview - Hull

Hull city were another surprise package last season, managing to stay in the Premier League and go on a decent cup run, this season Hull will face one of the biggest challenges a team like them can face, the Europa League. This season may just prove too much for Hull and last season’s surprise package could find themselves back playing Championship football if they are not careful.

Transfers

Last season, Hull had a good transfer window. They had a variety of problems they had to address due to poor goal difference in the Championship and quickly addressed them by signing Allan Mcgregor, Maynor Figueroa, Steve Harper and two strong defensive midfielders in Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore. They also managed to cut down their wage budget by releasing all the dead wood, bit-part players and youth players that just didn’t cut the mustard.

This season has also been a good window for Hull. They got rid of all of the players they no longer needed including Matty Fryatt and Robert Koren replacing them with the permanent transfer of Jake Livermore, Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass, players that will all prove vital for the new challenges of European football. However, Hull are desperate to add a few more players to their ranks including Andrew Robertson and other young players with potential.

Predicted Line-up

Hull actually have a surprisingly decent side. Other than a slightly disappointing defence, Hull have two decent central midfielders, average wingers and decent forwards. I expect Hull to surprise a few teams this season as well and Snodgrass may even start over Ince in the European games.

Squad Depth

Hull do not have good depth however. They have lacklustre defenders, ok midfielders and poor forwards in Yannick Sagbo and Sone Aluko. This may be the downfall of an otherwise decent Hull side and could see them get knocked out of Europe easily and finish in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Final Predicted Finish: 13^th.

Hull will no doubt finish in the bottom half of the table again this season and the demands of Europe may prove too much for a small Hull side. However, with a quality midfield and some decent attackers Hull could surprise us all again which is why I say they will finish 13^th, but this time without a good cup run.

Predicted Key Player: Tom Huddlestone.

Tom Huddlestone will most definitely be a figurehead in Hull’s campaign. Last season he impressed everyone with his fantastic workrate, decent passing and a shot that finally saw him lose the infamous Afro. I fully expect Huddlestone to continue his terrific form and we may even see a few more goals and possibly a new club for Huddlestone this time next year.

By @nathan_said