Its good to be back. Seems a few of the young un's will play tonight. I cant make it unfortunately, so a good match report after the game will be appreciated. I'm off to Chesterfield on Tuesday though. Lets hope its 3-5-2 http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Nort...-City-Tigers/story-26915972-detail/story.html young guns have been urged to stake a first-team claim when pre-season begins with a trip to North Ferriby United this evening. Steve Bruce's squad are back in action for the first time since suffering relegation from the Premier League as they step up preparations for the new Championship season that begins in 22 days. A summer of austerity leaves Bruce to select from a depleted squad in City's opening friendly but that will provide a handful of youngsters with an opportunity to shine. Greg Luer, Matty Dixon and Conor Townsend, who were all part of the club's warm-weather training camp in Portugal, will be joined by Calaum Jahraldo-Martin and Max Clark in a squad aiming to retain the Billy Bly Memorial Trophy. "I've told them that it's a massive opportunity to come in and stake a claim," said academy boss Tony Pennock. "I'm sure the manager will want to bring in a few new faces but this is a chance to step up and make a positive impression. "Any chance you get in the first-team, it's important that you're ready. "It's a great experience for them to train with senior players. They can only benefit from working with those players." With Robert Snodgrass and Mo Diame still out injured and trialist Wilson Palacios unavailable due to an expired visa, City are low on numbers as pre-season begins in earnest tonight. Question marks surround the involvement of Dame N'Doye, who is being tracked by Turkish side Besiktas, and that could leave the door open for Luer to feature prominently in attack. The 20-year-old striker has pleased coaching staff since joining from non-league side Burgess Hill Town in January. As well as a loan spell at Port Vale, the Brighton-born forward scored six goals in eight games for the Tigers' under-21s last season. "Greg has always been a powerful boy, who will only get stronger working in a full-time environment," added Pennock. "He's come on a lot in the last six months and we're pretty excited about how much he can progress. "There's a lot of potential there. He's quick, strong and got a powerful shot. He could do with being a bit more selfish from a striker's point of view but that will come with experience." Dixon, a 20-year-old central midfielder, and Townsend, a left-back who has enjoyed loan spells at Grimsby, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe, also trained with Luer in Portugal. "Matty has been here for a lot of years and this is a big season for him," said Pennock. "He spent a lot of time training with the first-team last season and now he'll want to break into the group. "Conor is in a similar position. He's the most experienced player in the academy and this is another big season for him as well. Whether that's in the first team here or out on loan, he'll want to get a lot of games." City's development squads will be in action tomorrow as a combined under-18s and 21s team splits to face Frickley Athletic and Goole AFC. Both games are away and kick off at 3pm.
Ahmed Elmohamady - Nice to see my bro back and looking forward for first pre-season game please log in to view this image
It won't be 352. Bruce always starts seasons playing a bit more positive, then gets more and more defensive as the season goes on.
“@HullCity: STARTING XI: McGregor, Chester, Davies, Dawson, Elmohamady, Robertson, Huddlestone, Meyler, Aluko, Jahraldo-Martin, Jelavic”
Bruce referred to Chester as a right back in that interview, there's chance he's going with four at the back, perhaps with Aluko out wide?
“@HullCity: SUBS: Jakupovic, Townsend, Maguire, Bruce, Lenihan, Clark, Dixon, Luer” According to the team sheets Ferriby have printed, we've got Trevor Huddlestone in midfield.
