Harry Drew rapporterar från England
Vi får precis som tidigare säsonger chansen att höra åsikter om den kommande säsongen från engelska supportrar. Den här gången är det studenten Harry Drew som delar med sig av sina åsikter.
Name: Harry Drew
Age: 16
Location: Hull, West Yorkshire
Occupation: Student
Q1: First of all Harry; what did you think about City’s effort last season? Better or worse than expected?
A1: After a summer of financial turmoil and a mass exodus of our best players, I didn’t have high hopes for the 2010-2011 season. To achieve a top half finish, with a commendable play-off challenge, surprised me and proves what a good manager Nigel Pearson is. Obviously the new owners also majorly contributed to our upturn in form – the money made available for transfers in January had a positive impact on the side, all of the new signings performing well for the season run-in. So yes, I was more than happy with City’s effort last season!
Q2: Will we be able to improve this season? What will be the main difference between Hull City 2010-2011 & Hull City 2011-2012?
A2: Improving next season will be very difficult; the league is much stronger than last season in my opinion, so finishing higher than 11th place will be a major challenge. However, with new additions to the squad and improved results at the KC Stadium, I think the team can improve and hopefully contest for a top six finish. The main difference from last season, for me, will be City’s consistency. For much of the 2010-2011 season we struggled at home, but put together a run of 17 unbeaten away games, which is very strange! So next season I think City should vastly improve at home, and if we can replicate our away form from last season into 2011-2012, the upcoming campaign will be one to remember...
Q3: Are you satisfied with our signings so far? If not, which position will we need to improve? Do you expect any more signings before the season starts?
A3: Our signings so far have been very sensible and will contribute positively to the side next season. We all know Jack Hobbs is a great defender because of his time with us last season – Corry Evans is also a quality player in the Championship, so I ‘m looking forward to seeing what those two can offer over a full season. McKenna and Adebola, both free transfers from Nottingham Forest, are good additions to the squad and will offer something different to what we already have at Hull City. I think we need two goalkeepers for strength in that department, and also another defender. If we can also get a couple of young players on loan (perhaps from Manchester United!?) to bolster our ranks, I think we will have a great squad to challenge for promotion next season.
Q4: Who will be our most important player this season?
A4: The Hull City team doesn’t have many star players really – Nigel Pearson likes the players to play for each other and produce a good work ethic. I think if any, Matty Fryatt could well be the most important player for us next season. After joining in January, his 9 goals and unselfish centre forward play helped us mount a play-off challenge last season, so he could be crucial for the upcoming campaign. Paul McKenna, our new signing, Corry Evans and Cameron Stewart (when he returns from injury) could also be vital players this season.
Q5: Who is your favourite player and why?
A5: Good question! Personally I like Liam Rosenior – we picked him up on a free transfer in October 2010 and nobody really knew what to expect of him. However, he really impressed as the season went on, putting in some excellent performances at right back. He is formidable going forward, while also manifesting hard work in his defending, so he does everything he can to help the team. Other personal favourites include Fryatt (for his goal scoring) and Corry Evans, a fantastic prospect for our midfield.
Q6: What do you think about the Bullard situation? Should he stay or should he go?
A6: Naturally, because of his extortionate £45,000 a week wages, Adam Pearson and the board are trying to find him a new club. If nobody is willing to take him, either on loan or on a permanent deal, we may have to pay the rest of his 2 year contract off and let Jimmy walk out of the club. Alternatively, if a deal cannot be agreed, he will still be a Hull City player – my view is that he should be played as he has tremendous talent (when fit), and can completely change a game with his fantastic ability. I think he will leave the club, but if he stays, I would welcome him into the team as Bullard is a tremendous footballer!
Q7: Which teams do you think will get promoted to the Premier League? And which teams will get relegated from the Championship?
A7: Can I say Hull City?! The Championship is very strong this year – many teams will expect to be in the play-offs at least due to their strong squads. The teams who were relegated will always stand a chance as they naturally have strong squads from the Premier League. Birmingham may struggle though as they have financial problems and Blackpool have lost a lot of their prominent Premier League players. Leicester have invested in their squad heavily so will expect to be near the top of the league – but nothing is guaranteed in this league! I believe the teams who were promoted into the Championship will also stand a good chance of promotion. My top six (in order) would be: West Ham, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Brighton, HULL CITY & Leicester. I think the three to go down will be: Coventry, Barnsley and Peterborough.
Q8: Will City be able to reach the play-offs or higher?
A8: With a few more signings, I believe we have a sufficiently capable squad to break into the top six. The key to us challenging for promotion, for me, will be the home form; it needs to be much better than last year, where we really struggled at the KC Stadium. If Nigel Pearson and the team can rectify that, and follow that on with consistency away (which we were very good at last season), I see no reason why we can’t mount a strong promotion challenge and get into the play-offs!
Q9: Final question! Were you surprised to hear about City’s Swedish/Scandinavian fan base?
A9: Yes! I knew about the supporters clubs all around the UK and the branch we have in Holland, but to hear we have a contingent of fans in Scandinavia is great! I thought poor Febbos (Undertecknad, reds anm) might have been the sole City fan out there, but I’m glad to hear there are a few of in Sweden out there with Febbos supporting the Tigers!
I thank you Harry for taking your time to answer my questions!
