... but it's what they do up the other end that will define their season ... you need the 3 points for a win, draws will see you relegated ... so far Cardiff, Hull, Stoke, Palace, Sunderland and West Brom have failed to notch ... personally I think you need to have a striker capable of scoring 15 goals plus at this level otherwise you could be in trouble ...
I'd judge the three promoted sides after 10 games rather than just the one. Considering us and Palace had Chelsea and Tottenham, it's no real surprise that we didn't score. Cardiff had West Ham, but it was away from home and Premier League matches away are always difficult no matter what the opposition is. Palace were the only one of the 3 Promoted sides to play at home. I think Aluko/Graham/Sagbo will score between 6-13 goals each, we look much better equipped up front than we have in a long time. The defence will hopefully learn some vital lessons after playing away at both Chelsea and Manchester City and that will help our cause.
Really not sure about Danny Graham at this level Candy - a fit Aluko I can see scoring a few and Sagbo looks a promising signing ... the acquisition of Huddlestone (if he stays fit) could be inspired because he can thread the passes and Livermore is also a very good player ... for me, whilst it's all very interesting, I think you have to have played at least 5 games before the league really starts to reflect form and prospects (perhaps more) ..
Has Huddlestone kept his massive hair - he said that he wouldn't cut it until he scored at Tottenham.
I'm also unsure about Graham, but with the right service, there's no doubt he can deliver the goods as he did at Swansea. He looked poor against Chelsea, because in the first half we rarely got it out of our area (and let's be honest, any striker would look poor with no service). I think he'll score enough. Obviously not set the League alight, but he'll do his job. He's certainly an aerial threat. Aluko is the player we're going to heavily rely on, though I can't see him scoring as many as predicted purely based on the fact that he's got a deeper role than last Season. He's playing in midfield pulling the strings as opposed to his Centre Forward position last Season. Unless Bruce decides to play him upfront some games instead of Graham or Sagbo, he won't be as prolific though he will probably be the main contributer to assists.
I can't help but think that missing out of the likes of Hooper and Austin will cost Hull dear. But the midfield two of Thud (nice nickname you guys have given him ) and Livermoore looked very good to me. Both good players at that level and they'll serve you proud. If I were a Hull fan i'd be worrying about fullbacks and strikers. Both key positions in the PL that I don't think you have sufficient cover for.
Figueroa (PL quality LB) and Dudgeon (top SBC LB) for back up and also Brady could cover there. Rosenior and Elmo cover the right back position and for a team in our position, that's about as strong as it'll get imo. I think the striker department largely depends on Sagbo. If he turns out to be brilliant, then Graham as a back up striker seems ok. However, if Sagbo can't get the goals, we'd rely on Brady and Aluko to chip in with more goals, as I can't see Graham getting enough goals to single handedly keep us up. (Open to be proved wrong though)
Other then the strikers I think the rest of Hull's squad is capable of keeping them up. McGregor will cost them a few points over the season though I would be very concerned about your strikers though. Danny Graham's best at this level is 12 which wont be good enough this year for you, Yannick Sagbo scored 22 goals in 90 games for Evian which is nowhere near good enough Matty Fryatt will stuggle in the prem IMO because of his lack of pace and he takes too long in the box to shoot. Prossie is crap If I was Hull I would seriously consider breaking the bank for Jordan Rhodes. If you still get relegated you know he will score enough goals in this league to give you a very good chance of bouncing straight back up
Figueroa isn't really that good (think he's a much better CB) and Dudgeon isn't a top SBC left back by any stretch of the imagination plus Brady's not a defensive player (as the first half showed). Elmo is more attacking too (thought he was, along with Meyler, your worst player on Sunday) and Rosenoir has proven he isn't up to the PL standard. All in all, it depends on your formation. I think the 5-3-2 will suit you more at home because Elmo and Brady can have a bit more opportunity to attack. But away I think that'll be ripped to shreds (as it was in before you changed against Chelski). The odd away point and win is vital for relegation threatened sides IMO and I don't think you have a formation that's defensively astute enough to get that. As for Strikers, I think Graham is dire. Couldn't name you one stand out attribute he has. Sagbo remains to be seen and apart from that you're lacking goals from Strikers. However, I think you have by far the best midfield and Central defence from any of the promoted sides (maybe Cardiff have a better centre defence with Caulker/Hudson). I rate Thud and Livermoore. We were linked with the former on loan under Sven and I was desperate for it to happen and Aluko and Brady will cause many a problem for fullbacks.
Huddlestone (If they can keep him fit) and Livermore was 2 superb signings for Hull. Them 2 with Aluko playing ahead of them should see them remain solid in the middle of the park while creating chances. I just think their Achilles heel will striker again. They lack of cutting edge will cost them dearly They need a goalscorer
Ooooops, you better add Newcastle in there somewhere. Better late than never as usual for you eh Proud
Anyways, there's my view on this season for ourselves. I doubt I'll be on here much this season so best of luck, I think you can make a good go of promotion (should you remember how to win after January ).
It helps for sure but our first season up last time we did not have anyone who came close to that many goals. Think Giovani was our top scorer with something like 8 and we stayed up. Put it another way, we didnt even go into the PL with a double digit goal scorer. How many people would have thought that you could even stay in the Championship without a double digit scorer let alone finish 2nd. It isnt always about goals for, it can be just as much about goals against.
I take the point that you also need to be able to defend elle - but with all due respect I think the Premier league has moved on markedly since your survival season. To illustrate the point the likes of Berbatov, Anelka and Chanakh, previously playing for Champions League contenders are now playing for Fulham, West Brom and Crystal Palace respectively - and that's really my point - even the less 'fashionable clubs' have top drawer strikers now - who'd have thought that the likes of Norwich and Southampton would have been sporting frontmen of the calibre (and cost) of van Wolfswinkel and Osvaldo? Itls all about clinical finishing - it would be very difficult to prevent your opposition getting ANY chances in a game - and with the quality in the PL now you are likely to get punished if they do. To further illustrate the point - how well do you think that Phil Brown side would fare in today's PL? ... for me they would be on a hiding to nothing week in week out. I look at our side currently and whilst my heart hopes otherwise my head tells me that the gulf in quality between us and the Premier league means we would need major cosmetic surgery to our current suad should we be fortunate enough to go up this season.
Our squad would need major revamping Only Wes Morgan, Ritchie De Laet, Kasper Schmeichel, Matty James and Anthony Knockaert would be starters every week in the prem IMO Some others would have to rotate like King, Wood, Schlupp, Marshall, Dyer, Nugent, Drinkwater
Yes, he says he wants to score sooner rather than later so he can cut it. But wasnt knocky on the bench for derby? Is he injured or deemed not good enough for the championship by NP?
