Hull City's Premier League season ends with the visit of Everton to the KC Stadium tomorrow, but manager Steve Bruce admits ambitious plans are already being drawn up to take the club on to the next level in 2014-15. City have exceeded all expectations in their first campaign back in the top flight, guaranteeing survival with two games to spare and marching all the way to a first FA Cup final. Next weekend's date with Arsenal has also booked City's place in next season's Europa League and leaves Bruce facing fresh challenges. "We're under no illusions over how difficult it's going to be. For me, the second year is more difficult than the first," said Bruce, whose side could climb as high as 13th with a final-day win over the Toffees. "The expectation rises a little bit. I think people are realistic enough to know that's the way it is. We've got to stay here. "We're always going to be in our half of the division. You can name the top six or seven clubs, perhaps not in the right order, but you can name them. "That's always going to be the case because of the bigger budgets and the wage bills. The more you spend, the higher you finish. But we'll never stop trying to improve as long as I'm here." Bruce's plans for future prosperity stretch across the board. On top of a £6m investment to upgrade City's Cottingham training complex and fund a new Academy site at Bishop Burton, the Tigers boss is keen to bolster his squad. For all the Europa League's attractions, clubs have traditionally felt the strain of a schedule that could lead to an additional 10 games in City's season before Christmas. Although victory over Arsenal next weekend would send Bruce's men straight into the group stages commencing on September 18, a failure to win at Wembley would see the Tigers qualify as FA Cup runners-up and begin their season in the third round of qualifiers on July 31. The make-up of Bruce's squad is also likely to cause problems. A 25-man roster needs to be submitted to UEFA and include four players trained by City between the ages of 15 and 21. At present no senior squad members fit those requirements. "There's a huge complication with Europe," said Bruce. "However, let's not derail it before we get into it. When the draw comes out in mid-July then to see our name in amongst it is fantastic. That's when it will grab hold of people. Big clubs with huge traditions and histories. To be part of it is great. "The reason we've tailed off, though, is the FA Cup. You can see why Liverpool have done so well. Week to week, they can prepare. It makes such a difference to be able to prepare. When you play Saturday, Thursday, Sunday, it is very difficult. We understand that and how difficult it is, but we can't be frightened of it." New arrivals are guaranteed, but Bruce has made it clear no centre forwards will be targeted. January buys Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long complement Sone Aluko and Yannick Sagbo and Bruce hopes Matty Fryatt can be persuaded to complete his options. "I will not be looking at any strikers," said Bruce, who also dismissed links with Augsburg's Kevin Vogt. "I can clearly say I'm very happy with what we've got there, if we tie up Fryatt, which I'm hoping we can do. "Jelavic, Long, Aluko, Fryatt and Sagbo. That's one area I will not be touching. I'm looking at midfielders and defenders. "Recruitment is a vital part of it. We're going to need another four or five players to come in and freshen the whole thing up again."
Yeah agree with all of that, we've just spent fourteen million on strikers. I also hope Fryatt decides to stay, he won't necessarily play second fiddle. Interesting Bruce seems confident Aluko will be here next season though, he seems like he might want away after recent comments.
So with Koren and Faye seemingly out, and I suspect The Jak also, five in would increase the squad by two, and in this equation I assume Jake is part of those already here and does not represent a new signing. So we may be about to freshen things up but feel we need another one or two more. How we use the two loan spots is more important than ever with Europe on the horizon
Sensible interview indeed. I was writing up thoughts on the Europa squad but put that in the Europa Problems thread instead. 5 signings? 1. Livermore - or another central midfielder if someone else steals him. Sidwell from Fulham? 2. Left back (Olssen from Norwich?) 3. Right winger (Redmond from Norwich?) 4. Centre back (Bassong from Norwich?) 5. Right back (Not sure of any from the relegated teams, maybe Cath the Theophile from Cardiff?)
I'd be very surprised if we weren't interested in Jordi Gomez, he's on a Bosman and would be an ideal replacement for Koren
I can't hear his name without thinking of this guy. [video=youtube_share;Z_DhiWGoFts]http://youtu.be/Z_DhiWGoFts[/video]
I'm just a little bit confused with Steve Bruce's comments as I think there has to be a 'smokescreen' there. We need strikers who can put the ball in the back of the net a little bit more often than the ones we have got. Jelly and Long should get 15 to 20 goals between them but we are going to need over double that. I cannot see Aluko, Fryatt and/or Sagbo coming anywhere near that or Brady, Elmo, Livermore and "The Hudd". Just my opinion but I think if an offer comes in for Matty from a Championship Side where he will be first name on the Team Sheet every week then I believe that Matty would take it. Sagbo and Aluko too would jump at such a chance. I'd like other people's opinion's as I know many will disagree with me but I still have a 'gut feeling' that a young ambitious striker could be in Steve's sight. I just feel that we need a little bit more up front in depth. Looking at bringing in "four or five" defenders and mid-fielders will certainly give us the depth at the back. Maybe Steve will be looking at loan-in Strikers (and has maybe ear-marked them already) rather than splurging big money on another "Proschwitz" (heaven forbid). He will obviously be more selective than he was with Danny Graham. Does anyone else feel we need another 'engine' up front or are you happy with what we've got?
I like this quote from Brucey, bit of a wind up for Curtis i reckon. "He's one of those who is not naturally gifted but, by God, he makes the best of what he's got. He's a competitor. http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Comp...ts-Hull-City/story-21082579-detail/story.html Tom Ince is on a free isnt he? Be a good signing for us. Read Bolassi is looking around for a deal too. I'd take him.
Next season will be tough...No great surprise there.....A few astute signings in key areas will see us do okay... New goalkeeper as back up to Macca...What about the lad at Barnsley? New full back to replace Figgy. Even if Dudgeon is fit.. New centre back as back up to James and Curtis and Alex New Midfielder even if Jake comes back Other than that I can't see a lot to do, and with Brady coming back it will be like having a new player.
There was an interview with Bruce broadcast on RH prior to the MU match on Tues. Within the interview he also said the club would be looking to sign around 5 young British players, mainly from England and Scotland, to supplement the squad for all competitions next year. From what he said, it sounded like these would be exclusive of the main signings.
Think Bruce is very aware of the importance of spirit and unity in the dressing room. No sulky latins, eccentric Africans or bolshy eastern europeans welcome. He seems very happy with his British/Irish mix.
Absolutely. Plus, other Premier League clubs have made some excellent and prudent signings from other Scotland/ Ireland etc. If done as well as I’d believe Bruce and his team will do it, it could plug the gap we have from the youth to the first team.
Someone who can play wide on the right, too. Elmo is the only option there right now, and we've been lucky he's stayed fit. please log in to view this image
What positions do you think you'll be looking to improve? I think we'll also be looking at about 5 signings. We need a Centre half, a Left Back, a Defensive Midfielder, a Right Winger and a Striker. Would be interesting to see us go after the same player.
He's been around the block and seen it go tits up, so he knows he needs a dressing room with no cliques/language/cultural issues. Good article in today's DT about Man City and how Pellegrini's team are all pulling in the same direction, and how the Mancini-Tevez-Balotelli axis ****ed them up.
I’m sure Pearson will mould you into a difficult team to beat in the Premier League and will squeeze the maximum from your non-PL players. Above anyone and anyone you’ll sign, he’s your biggest asset and key to staying up.
