It’s hard for many to argue the toss for the Tigers survival hopes this campaign. A comprehensive 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday was their first match in the top flight for three years, and a lot has changed since then. Not least the increased amount of cash available to clubs, notably from sides hoping to cling onto their Premier League status.
Norwich alone have spent in excess of £20,000,000 and haven’t been afraid to pay their new arrivals the wages they demand. The amount spent on transfers doesn’t dictate your league position, but player wages usually does. If that statistic proves true again for what will unfold over the next 9 months, Hull will be picking up a parachute payment in May.
It has to be said; Steve Bruce is key to Hull’s hopes of staying up and if the owners choose to panic after a few poor performances – they have no chance. Successful managerial reigns at both Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic, on the main exceeding expectations, leaves Yorkshire’s top club in with at least a fighting chance. With a 4-3-3 formation which offers goals from both flanks and a proven poacher in the middle, tactically they won’t go far wrong.
Tom Huddlestone, Sone Aluko and Danny Graham all look to be instrumental in helping Bruce’s lads compete going forward, starting this Saturday with a big game against Norwich, then a cup tie down at Leyton Orient. If Hull fail to win either of those, i’m sure a visit to Man City in their next league fixture won’t be cherished!
Then again, after that there’s still a long way to go…