12th Aug 2013 | Football
Hull City 2013-14 Preview
We'll all be simply calling them 'Hull Tigers' very soon if the owner gets his wish. That may be more likely than survival.
Best odds to stay up: 5/4 (BetVictor)
Last season: 2nd (Championship)
Reasons for hope:
Steve Bruce has the top flight know-how that so many of his players will lack. Not only a hugely successful defender with Man Utd, more pertinently he has at various points kept Birmingham City, Wigan and Sunderland in the Premier League. On the pitch, summer addition Maynor Figueroa arrives with bags of top level experience while Danny Graham could revitalise his career up front here.
Potential bet: Hull top league goalscorer - Danny Graham 11/4 (StanJames)
Reasons to worry:
The Hull Tigers, as they will now be rebranded, almost stumbled to promotion, somehow finishing second without winning any of their last four games. Goals will be a major concern as 61 in 46 Championship fixtures last term was below average even at that level. Now they must step up massively, so far on a shoe-string budget, having failed to land a number of transfer targets.
Potential bet: Next manager to leave his post - Steve Bruce: 33/1 (StanJames). Football’s a fickle business, just ask Nigel Adkins and Brian McDermott. Promotion memories can fade fast in the minds of ambitious owners.
Verdict:
A season of toil awaits with the lack of quality in the attacking third bound to prove problematic against international defenders every week. Relegation is more than likely.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:48 12th Aug, 2013 but subject to change
