Great first article by Joe Lynch: Could James Chester help provide the foundation upon which Hull City’s survival will be built? Since Robert Snodgrass was ruled out for the rest of season in late August, injuries have proven to be the story of Hull City’s Premier League campaign. Key players such as Nikica Jelavić, Michael Dawson and Mohamed Diamé have all missed lengthy periods and at the moment, the imminent return of Mohamed Diamé to the starting eleven is what many fans have pinned their hopes of survival to. However, while Diamé’s return will undeniably provide a huge boost to Steve Bruce’s side, it is the return of James Chester that could well provide the foundations to keep Hull City in the Premier League. Few would argue with the sentiment that Chester is one of, if not the best defender at the club, and there’s even a claim to be made that he’s simply the best player at the club, regardless of position. All of the playing styles of City’s defenders are an insight into their history. Alex Bruce follows in the footsteps of his father as a tough-tackling centre back and his ever growing highlight reel of superb tackles certainly harks back to his father’s era. Paul McShane’s passion and fight is borne out of his chequered history at Hull City. Every tackle and block appears to be fuelled by a desire to prove that he’s good enough for the Premier League (and he almost undoubtedly is.) Likewise, Chester’s Manchester United pedigree shines through whenever he plays. Chester is sound in his positioning, remarkable in the air (especially considering his relatively meagre height,) and supremely confident with the ball. For all the grit and zeal players such as Bruce and McShane bring to the side, Chester’s quality is authoritative and is of a level that cannot quite be replicated through hard work and spirit, as much as the latter qualities are needed in a relegation fight. While the three man defence of Dawson, Bruce and McShane has for the most part performed admirably when called upon, the glaring weakness of the three is their lack of mobility, and while Chester may not be as quick as the spectacularly out of form Curtis Davies, his athleticism is certainly greater than the aforementioned trio and will almost certainly prove to be an asset for City as they scrap for survival. As fond as Steve Bruce is of saying “you’re only as good as your strikers,” the thing that kept Hull City in the Premier League last season was their defensive record. Chester’s availability should provide a significant boost to City’s defence and their chances of staying up, while also potentially helping ease the weight currently being heaped on Mohamed Diamé’s shoulders. http://www.eptsports.co.uk/#!Could-...l-will-be-built/cexr/5525a3a60cf21933cd48d1e7 Please have a read and they'll be more articles coming up on our website daily so follow our page to keep up to date https://www.facebook.com/pages/EPT-Sports/918636994827620?ref=bookmarks
It's a hell of a lot to ask of James to come back from a bad injury and long lay-off in the situation we are in and expect world-class efforts, we need Bruce/Mcshane and Daws to step up to the plate now and Harper on his swansong if Mcgregor gets the bullet (don't agree with it if he does)
The longer he has been injured the better he has become. I remember missed tackles and misplaced passes, just like the rest of them.
Probably not much. 3 or 4 million at a push. I think he's better than that but I think that's about all we'd get for him.
