Last night, upon seeing Birminghams result and knowing their game in hand could potentially be the difference between us being in the playoffs or out, dropping out the playoff places felt like dropping into the relegation zone, and I found myself having to give myself a reality check considering what we've been through as a club the last few years and how lucky we are to be in the position we're in both on and off the pitch. However that soon changed to a feeling of promotion being vital to us. If we fail to go up, are we going to keep our squad intact in the summer? I know no key players are expected to leave during this January window, but the summers a different ball game and theres plenty of time between now and then for our star players to impress clubs all over the country, whether it be Leicester with their mega contracts and money or premier league clubs. I found myself pondering on the fact that if we are still in this league next season, how likely is it our players heads could be turned by big clubs and big money, knowing they have the ability to play on the bigger stage? How long can we keep hanging on to them in the hope of success?
I agree we're more vulnerable in the summer to players maybe moving on than we are now. However, I wouldn't say that promotion is vital to keeping them here. If we continued to have a decent season and just missed out on the play offs that may be enough to keep the squad intact and inspire them to go one step further next year. I think if we didn't go up we'd still be avoiding doing business with championship rivals unless there is a ridiculous offer we can't turn down. If we're going for promotion next season, why give a rival the upper hand by giving them one of your best players unless you can by a similar or better replacement? I think the biggest worry would be offers from the Premier League but I guess that depends on hbow things go over the season with how our squad performs. There also seems to be a good team spirit here and taht may play a role in keeping players here.
It depends, if we're not at least in the playoffs then it means their form has dropped off between now and the end of the season so will clubs be wanting them as much? If we've made the playoffs and stayed down it'll deped on how quickly we look to add to the squad. Get business done quickly and the players will see we're making a serious effort and not see the point of leaving (other than to PL clubs). Piss about not signing anyone til deadline day and some heads might turn in the meantime.
Birminghams game in hand is not until February and by then the league table could look a whole lot different. So lets just take it one game at a time and and see what happens eh ?
Is promotion vital? I have supported Hull City for over 60 years (that's not counting a couple of games before ww2 when I didn't know what was going on.) and in those years we hardly ever got close to getting in the top flight. When we did by winning at wembly, the first time we had ever played there, then starting the way we did in those first ten or so games I cannot describe the pleasure it gave me and my long standing supporter mates. Even when we started to lose games and survived the relegation I was still very pleased. It was the same all through the next season too. When we went down I felt we were playing in the low Sunday league. Now I am unable to go to any more matches for quite some time but I know that the best place to be for Hull City FC is the premier league without doubt. So for me promotion is vital!! I might not see them there if we don't do it this season.
