Will The Tigers regret appointing Mike Phelan come the end of the season?
The modern-day yo-yo club, Hull are not exactly famed for their consistency. And, after a start of the season that would induce compassion from even the most ardent Aston Villa fan, The Tigers are looking more endangered by the week.
Start to the season
In one word? Unexpected. Steve Bruce had resigned, the owners were selling up and a succession of long-term injuries to a number of undisputed starters, Michael Dawson and Allan McGregor in particular, had more than a few Derby fans hopeful that there was going to be a newly crowned ‘worst Premier League team in history’ come May.
And then, because this is football, Hull beat the Champions. And then Swansea too, enough to allow Mike Phelan the chance to step up from caretaker to full-time gaffer.
Yet, in the 15 fixtures since, The Tigers have won only once more while a six goal battering at Bournemouth, plus hidings against Arsenal, Liverpool, Sunderland and Tottenham, ensures Hull are bottom of Christmas. And you know what that means…
Performance of the manager
Faultless at first. Then increasingly at fault. Phelan may have assisted the greatest manager of all at Manchester United while honing the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo and co but coaxing regular performances out the likes of Curtis Davies and Tom Huddlestone is a different matter entirely.
Few had any complaints when Hull handed Phelan the job full-time in October but it would be a major surprise if he’s sipping champagne in May.
Team performance of the season
There can only be one. The opening day was as good as it got for Hull, with Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass bringing a daydreaming Leicester City crashing back down to earth at the KCom.
Where those superhuman levels of commitment and fighting spirt have been since, however, is anyone’s guess.
Star Player
Sam Clucas has more than earned his cult hero status with a succession of never-say-die, lung-busting performances in an array of unfamiliar positions but the cold facts are these; without Robert Snodgrass’ five goals and two assists, Hull would be cut adrift and spinning down the sinkhole.
Coming off the bench half-fit against Southampton, the Scotland international scored one and set up the other to transform a one goal deficit into a 2-1 lead in the blinking of an eye. His contract has been extended by the club, and no matter how tempting the offer, they cannot allow him to leave in January.
Where to strengthen in January?
A new striker is non-negotiable. Abel Hernandez failed to rediscover his Championship form prior to his injury while Will Keane is out for the season. Diomande, meanwhile, averages worse than one in four.
Likelihood of strengthening in January?
Phelan wants Hull to “strike early” in the market, per Sky Sports, with Hull’s owners knowing they have no option but to spend. The Sun claims Aston Villa targetman Rudy Gestede is top of the wishlist but his record of five in 32 last season hardly inspires confidence.
Challenges ahead
Where to begin? As it stands, Hull need to triple their current points total to be anywhere near the magic 40 mark.
But with goalkeeper David Marshall a far cry from his virtuoso days at Cardiff, the midfield lacking in creativity, star man Snodgrass tipped to depart and the strikers either injured or profligate, Hull need to summon the spirit of Houdini to stand any chance of survival.
Predicted finish?
20th. The dearth of quality is well documented but, the opening weeks aside, Hull have failed to demonstrated the required character to survive.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
