Season Preview - Hull City

Vital QPR takes a look at Championship side Hull City

FACTS & FIGURES

Founded: 1904

Nickname: The Tigers

Ground: KC Stadium - 25404

Manager: Nigel Pearson

SELECTED HONOURS

Football League Championship Playoffs: Winners - 2007-08

Football League One: Runners Up - 2004-05

Football League Third Division: Champions - 1965-66
Football League Third Division: Promoted - 1984-85

Football League Division Three: Runners Up - 2003-04

SELECTED HONOURS

Record attendance: 55019 v Manchester United (FA Cup, 1949)

Record victory: 11-1 v Carlisle United (Third Division (North), 1939)

Record defeat 0-8 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Second Division, 1911)

Record Buy: Jimmy Bullard - £5,000,000 from Fulham

Record Sale: Michael Turner - £4,000,000 to Sunderland

PREVIEW

Hull City are testament to the financial implications of dropping out of the top flight and the importance of not spending beyond your means in the Premier League.

The Tigers paid the price for a hefty wage bill and inconsistent form, with the likes of Jimmy Bullard able to take a handsome salary out of the club despite being sidelined for the majority.

After the initial elation of performing beyond their means under Phil Brown, the Tigers staked their future on survival, and ultimately the financial model failed along with the side.

Under new guidance now, the importance has never been so paramount that City bounce back at the first attempt while slashing their wage bill in the same breath.

Prediction: 2

In stark contrast to Burnley I expect Hull to be challenging the higher echelons of the league, because of their manager, not in spite of him.

Nigel Pearson has proven himself to be a manager that can play effective football, with varying degrees of attractiveness and that would suit City down to the ground.

He has a job to do, some useful players at his disposal and a league that really is struggling for a leader - Pearson could be the man to take City back to the promise land at the first attempt.




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