In the third of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed for the relegated Tigers this summer.

Reports on Sunderland and Middlesbrough are available, while previews for Leeds United and both Sheffield sides will follow tomorrow with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.

“Isn’t it great to watch football again? After the turbulent summer so far, it’s still nice to watch City.” After a chaotic 12-month period which saw four different managers at the club and which ended in what many felt was an inevitable relegation, most Tigers would simply welcome a season of stability.

“There is no big master plan. There is just blundering about and looking after the bottom line when things don’t work as planned.” With 10 first-team squad players having departed this summer and with only two experienced additions to the squad so far, there is very little talk of a promotion push.

“We need someone fresh, determined and different. Leonid is certainly that. He has done everything possible to prepare himself to do well in our country and deserves some success”, “Our owners have brought in a really good guy and quite possibly the right kind of manager we need at the moment.”

One bright note has been the arrival of new boss Leonid Slutsky in early June after his predecessor Marco Silva resigned after relegation to take over at Watford. The 46-year-old ex-CSKA Moscow and Russia manager has left a positive impression on Tigers in the short time he has been with the club.

Leonid Slutsky

“Slutsky is both intelligent and well-prepared. I think he will see this project through as he knew exactly what he was up against. The way in which he accepted a cobbled-together management team is testament to that. This is his opportunity to get a foothold in English football.”

Leonid Slutsky

“You have to warm to the fellow. He is genuine in being excited to be here. With so much positivity coming from him, the players who are staying may just rally around and buy into that philosophy. I just hope the club start getting some players in to bolster us and give the bloke a fighting chance.”

“His English is good. His ideas are informed and he seems to have a good grasp of things. Perhaps there is room for optimism”, “If he does well, then it’s against the odds. If he does badly, then those same odds work for him. It worked for Silva”, “I’m cautiously optimistic. Let’s see who we sign.”

The Fire Sale

“I think it’s quite clearly a fire sale. Pocket as much money as the owners can and pay out as little as possible.” The defence has seen keeper Eldin Jakupovic and defender Harry Maguire both moving to Leicester, while the highly-rated 18-year-old Josh Tymon rejected a new deal to sign for Stoke.

Eldin Jakupovic

Other defenders departing include Curtis Davies (to Derby) full-back or winger Ahmed Elmohamady (to Villa) and Andy Robertson (to Liverpool). At the time of writing, former Town centre-half Alex Bruce is currently a free agent having also departed this summer.

Two midfielders have also exited in this window. Tom Huddlestone has moved to Derby while veteran Shaun Maloney saw a move to Aberdeen stall after he flagged up a potential injury concern.

Summer Arrivals

Three permanent additions at the KCOM Stadium are 23-year-old midfielder Kevin Stewart (from Liverpool), striker Frazier Campbell, released by Crystal Palace, who played for the Tigers on loan in 2007/08 and 18-year-old ex-Swansea frontman Liam Edwards who impressed whilst on trial at the club.

Frazier Campbell

Full-back Ola Aina, 20, has also arrived on a season-long loan from Chelsea. Tigers hope that their manager’s reported friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic may yet lead to some help from the league champions in strengthening their squad, although this is probably wishful thinking.

“Welcome back, son.” The return of Campbell has been welcomed. “I like Campbell, good in the air, a bit of pace, a nuisance for defenders and always seems to poach important goals”, “He isn’t scared of physical defenders or heading the ball, unlike Abel Hernandez”, “For a club like us, he is ideal.”

Pre-Season Line-Ups

City have played three pre-season friendlies while on training camp in Portugal, beating Bristol Rovers 2-1 and losing to Oxford United by the same scoreline. Fans have taken a great deal of comfort from their final result, a 1-0 win over what was an admittedly under-strength Benfica outfit.

The starting XI (above) against the Portuguese champions did not include the just-arrived Campbell. Skipper Michael Dawson was sent off 13 minutes from time while 20-year-old Jarrod Bowen’s superb winning strike was widely praised, the former Hereford man having blossomed in this pre-season.

The line-up after substitutions (above) included three young fringe players, highlighting many Tigers’ biggest concern. “The squad is small with very little depth”, “A few more additions, back-ups or main squad players and we’re sorted”, “A starting XI is there. We need a massive load of back-up players.”

A Lack of Money and a Lack of Trust

“We, as an ambitious and credible football club, have been sent to the dogs by the owners. It’s going to be a long, hard season”, “They could sign the entire Barcelona squad and I still would want them out”, “We have received nearly £55 million over the last two windows and spent just £7 million. It’s a joke.”

“This is what you get when non-football people buy football clubs. They may have set out with good intentions but they now see the club as a cash cow. It’s a bleeding shame it has come to this but we will have to go a lot further backwards in order to go forwards”, “It’s going to be a tough few years.”

Websites

The busiest Hull City message board is the friendly Not 606.

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@HarryFromBath

Photo: Action Images

Warkys_Tash added 10:58 - Jul 26 Welcome back Harry from Bath. Really good effort writing these reports each season and its much appreciated by all on the forum I am sure. Thanks! I certainly enjoy them and they provides a good insight into other fans optimism or doom and gloom, which is always refreshing..
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