Having examined both Burnley and Middlesbrough, our final article on the promoted sides assesses Hull City.
Ending last season in fourth spot in the Championship, Steve Bruce’s side beat Derby 3-2 on aggregate in the Play-Off semi-finals before sealing their return to the top-flight thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley.
Similar to Burnley, the Tigers return to the Premier League at the first time of asking, then, having dropped down a division after finishing third-bottom in 2014/15, just three points shy of safety.
The Statistics
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | P | CS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 46 | 24 | 11 | 11 | 69 | 35 | +34 | 83 | 20 |
| Home | 23 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 47 | 12 | +35 | 52 | 13 |
| Away | 23 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 31 | 7 |
CS = Clean sheets
Hull’s home form was clearly vital to their promotion bid. Bruce’s side tasted defeat just once in front of their own fans all season, scoring more goals (47) than any side in the division and racking up 13 clean sheets at the KC Stadium.
The Tigers failed to score in just three of their home matches, with three of their fellow top six (Derby, Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday) keeping them at bay. Indeed, Derby beat them at the KC twice after triumphing 2-0 in the second-leg of their Championship Play-Off semi-final.
On the road, though, it was a different matter altogether. Although Hull managed seven clean sheets, they tasted defeat on ten occasions – champions Burnley lost three times away from home by comparison.
Despite that, Bruce’s side conceded only two more away goals (23 to 21) than the Lancashire outfit, though failed to find the net on nine occasions and scored just 22 times – only five more than relegated Bolton, for example.
Once again, Hull found it difficult to break down their promotion rivals – they picked up just one point and scored a single goal against the rest of the top six away from home.
Although they will arrive in the top-flight with an air of optimism, Hull’s toils against tougher opponents looks likely to once again cause Bruce reason for concern over the campaign ahead.
The Manager
After hanging up his boots, Bruce’s managerial career began back in 1998 with Sheffield United. The Blades were one of seven sides to appoint the centre-half prior to his arrival at the KC, though he lasted more than 100 matches at the helm on just one occasion, during a six-year stint with Birmingham between 2001-2007.
Taking the Tigers’ hotseat in June 2012, the former Man United centre-half steered his side into the Premier League at the first attempt. Bruce mainly employed a 3-5-2 formation in the lower division but, having changed to a four-man backline, helped retain Hull’s top-flight status with a 16th-placed finish and also clinched a place in the FA Cup Final against Arsenal.
After another spirited showing, the KC side eventually succumbed to relegation on the final day of 2014/15 after a goalless draw against United saw them fall through the trap door. Last season Bruce stuck to a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 set-up in order to seal his side’s Premier League return.
Hull managed more attempts per match than any side in last term’s Championship – their average of 16 was superior to champions Burnley, whose 11.9 was better than only four other sides.
Bruce’s troops were third in terms of possession (53.3%) and averaged 24 crosses per match – only fellow promoted side Middlesbrough (26) relied on delivery from the flanks more often.
Over the past few days, Bruce has confirmed his intention to stay with the club, despite reports suggests a change of owner could force him out of the KC. The recent departure of Roy Hodgson from the England post has also seen the former United man linked with a move into international football but he now seems intent on staying put.
The Promoted Squad
Bruce has mainly kept faith in the squad that tumbled into the Championship following relegation in 2014/15.
At the back, the likes of Allan McGregor, Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson remain pivotal to the Tigers’ clean sheet prospects, whilst the drop down into a lower division has allowed Andrew Robertson the chance to develop as the first-choice left-back. The addition of right-back Moses Odubajo from Chesterfield has proven a canny piece of business by the Tigers’ boss and helped tighten up defensively.
Robert Snodgrass and Mo Diame both recovered from serious injuries to spearhead Hull’s revival. The Scot played just one match in 2014/15 and was sidelined for almost half of last season, whilst Diame – who managed just two appearances in the final 24 Gameweeks of 2014/15 – looks equally key to the Tigers’ prospects of beating the drop.
The loan acquisition of Chuka Akpom from Arsenal allowed Bruce to utilise a two-man frontline on numerous occasions, though the step up in division is likely to see Hull mainly opt for a lone striker system, with Abel Hernandez leading the line.
Here’s an assessment of those players who featured at least five times for Hull last season who are still currently with the club.
Allan McGregor (44 starts)
Bruce’s first-choice stopper is guaranteed a spot between the sticks, though despite his side’s impressive home resilience, could struggle to garner our attention. McGregor sat just twelfth for total saves in the Championship last term, with a tally of 104 some way behind Burnley’s Tom Heaton, who produced 142 by comparison. This trend somewhat mirrors the duo’s displays in the 2014/15 Premier League – McGregor’s average of 38.1 minutes per stop was third lowest of any regular keeper, whereas Heaton – who finished second-top scoring keeper in Fantasy Premier League – averaged 27.7 minutes per save.
Andrew Robertson (44 starts, 1 sub appearance. 3 goals, 4 assists)
Although he found the net on three occasions, the left-back didn’t offer too much of a threat – an average of 160 minutes per attempt was second slowest of any team-mate. Robertson’s creativity was more impressive – a total of 58 key passes was fourth for the Tigers and helped earn four assists, with reports now suggesting that Liverpool are monitoring his situation as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster his defence.
Moses Odubajo (45 starts, 2 assists)
Signed from Brentford last summer, the right-back has been quick to nail down a regular role in Bruce’s plans. Odubajo fired 25 attempts on goal without success last season, though lagged someway behind Robertson for key passes (33). First for successful tackles and second for interceptions, he’s more likely to be one to watch for DraftKings.
Curtis Davies (40 starts, 2 sub appearances. 2 goals)
Earned just 21 starts in the 2014/15 but nailed down a regular role once again last time out. Hull’s main man when it comes to Clearances, Blocks and Interceptions (CBI), Davies also produced 30 attempts on goal last season and found the net twice. Impressively, he was fifth amongst Bruce’s side for efforts in the opposition box, with 25 close-range attempts. If he’s priced at 4.5 like the rest of his defensive team-mates, the centre-half could find his way onto many a watchlist if Bruce’s side can show some resilience in front of their own fans.
Michael Dawson (35 starts, 1 goal)
The former Spurs man has plenty of top-flight experience and should retain his role alongside Davies in the heart of defence. It’s difficult to see Dawson emerge as the best bet here, though – he’s second to Davies for CBI and boasted the slowest frequency of attempts on goal amongst all Bruce’s players last season.
Alex Bruce (9 starts, 3 sub appearances. 1 goal)
Having started just nine of the Tigers’ 49 fixtures, the manager’s son looks set to be no more than a back-up option to Davies and Dawson in the heart of defence.
Harry Maguire (17 starts, 7 sub appearances)
Joined from Sheffield United in the summer of 2014 but has failed to persuade Bruce he’s worthy of regular minutes. Maguire made just three appearances in the 2014/15 Premier League campaign and the same scenario looks likely again – as evidenced by last season, he looks set to play a cameo role as a reinforcement when injuries and bans bite in defence.
Mo Diame (34 starts, 7 sub appearances. 10 goals, 4 assists)
The Senegal international’s tenth goal of 2015/16 helped defeat Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley and seal the Tigers’ top-flight return. Bruce seems more likely to deploy a lone striker system next term and Diame’s eye for goal in the central support role could bring him onto our radars – he scored in four of the first six Gameweek of 2014/15 before a serious knee injury ended his season. An average of 30.5 minutes per attempt on goal was faster than any other Hull midfielder last term.
Robert Snodgrass (21 starts, 6 sub appearances. 4 goals, 7 assists)
Missed the first 17 matches of the season due to a serious knee injury before returning to action. Number one for corners and free-kicks, Snodgrass’ average of 30.1 minutes per key pass was quicker than any team-mate. Versatile enough to play on either flank for Bruce, the Scot’s creativity will be vital to their survival and, price dependent, he could prove a better option than Diame is he remains clear of the treatment room.
Jake Livermore (36 starts, 1 sub appearance. 4 goals, 3 assists)
Made more successful tackles than any team-mate and chipped in with a reasonable four goals and three assists last time out. Although he’s the most likely to start in central midfield, Livermore faces a tough task to better the likes of Snodgrass and Diame in our estimations.
Tom Huddlestone (27 starts, 13 sub appearances. 2 goals, 4 assists)
Fired 66 attempts on goal last term, though his penchant for a long shot meant that only three arrived from inside the box. Is second in line for corners but looks unlikely to find his way into many managers’ plans in the campaign ahead.
David Meyler (20 starts, 8 sub appearances. 2 goals, 1 assist)
Tended to flit in and out the side in the same vein as Huddlestone. His combative nature could earn more minutes if Bruce opts for a defensive 4-5-1 set-up, particularly on his travels, but beyond that, he’s set to play a peripheral figure next time out.
Sam Clucas (39 starts, 7 sub appearances. 6 goals, 8 assists)
Snapped up from Chesterfield last summer, the left winger played a major part in Hull’s promotion push. Third for shots on goal and second for key passes, Clucas chipped in with six goals and eight assists but seemed to fall out of favour when it mattered most. The wide man started just two of Hull’s final eight fixtures and was named amongst the subs for the Play-Off semi-finals and final, suggesting Bruce may lean on more experienced heads next time around.
Ahmed Elmohamady (34 starts, 10 sub appearances. 3 goals, 6 assists)
The Egyptian is not quite as nailed-on as he’s been in recent years. Elmohamady started just two of 13 league matches in a run between mid-January and April, though Bruce leant on his experience for the Play-Offs, where he played every minute of the three fixtures against Derby and Sheffield Wednesday. With Snodgrass looking a secure pick, Bruce could look to alternate Elmohamady and Clucas in his XI depending on opponent, with the latter perhaps earning starts when Hull look to go on the offensive.
Shaun Maloney (8 starts, 12 sub appearances. 1 goal, 2 assists)
The versatile Scot offers an option on either flank or even behind the lone frontman. Although Maloney looks likely to fall down the pecking order when Bruce has a full quota of players available, his experience at the top level makes him a decent impact option off the bench later on in matches.
Abel Hernandez (37 starts, 5 sub appearances. 21 goals, 2 assists)
The club’s top scorer and number one for spot-kicks, Hernandez looks nailed-on as either a lone striker or part of a two-man frontline. The Uruguayan’s average of 23.3 minutes last term wasn’t too far off his Premier League numbers for 2014/15, where he fired an efforts every 26.9 minutes. The big difference was his finishing – Hernandez netted a mere 7.7% of efforts during his first year in the top-flight but upped that to 15.6% in 2015/16 on his way to scoring 21 times. Maintain that level of output and he’ll be set to rival Burnley’s Andre Gray as the best budget frontman on offer for our three-man frontlines.
Adama Diomande (3 starts, 8 sub appearances. 3 goals, 1 assist)
Signed from Norwegian outfit Stabaek last summer but failed to make his debut until December du to injury. Still struggling to convince Bruce he’s worthy of a first-team place, Diomande looks another who will be relying on minutes off the bench to make an impact.
Potential Targets
Hull’s preparations for the new season are yet to gather pace. Indeed, Bruce has been quick to calm concerns that he is being prevented from delving into the transfer market due to the impending takeover at the club…
“We plan to make improvements to our squad in the coming weeks and a transfer budget and wage structure has been set by the board for the new campaign. It is simply not correct that I have been told I cannot sign any players as reported this week.”
Despite this, Bruce has clearly prioritised consolidation to this point. He’s moved to retain the core of the starting XI that boasts top-flight experience, finalising deals for the likes of Elmohamady and Huddlestone over the last few days.
Meanwhile, both Hernandez and Meyler are set to miss the start of Hull’s pre-season training camp due to their international commitments with Uruguay and Republic of Ireland over the summer.
As a result, Bruce is rumoured to be considering a move for United’s James Wilson, though he could also return to Arsenal and consider another loan deal for Chuka Akpom, who made 19 starts and 17 sub appearances for the Tigers last term and was the preferred strike partner for Hernandez whenever Bruce opted for two up top. Fulham’s Ross McCormack was previously linked with a move back in January and the Hull boss could return with a new bid in light of his club’s promotion.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that with Hernandez continuing to be linked with a move back to Serie A, Hull are also believed to be targeting Augsburg’s Raul Bobadilla, though four goals in 27 Bundesliga outings last term is hardly prolific.
Although he has a number of options on the flanks, Bruce has been linked with a move to bring back former player Robbie Brady to the KC after the Irishman slipped back into the Championship with Norwich. Brady could even be utilised at left-back should Robertson depart, though such a scenario would diminish his Fantasy potential, given that he’s likely to be classified as a midfielder. Elsewhere in midfielder, Derby’s Jeff Kendrick is also believed to be on Hull’s radar after his side lost to the Tigers in the Play-Off semi-finals.
At the back, rumours abound that Bruce could turn to Old Trafford as he looks for new faces. Jose Mourinho’s arrival at United places question marks over the future of a number of players, with a loan movefor Phil Jones mooted after the new Red Devils boss splashed the cash on Eric Bailly to strengthen his defensive options.
