Hull City heading for season of hurt after dismal summer transfer window

No club in the top flight has operated with less ambition than Hull City in the transfer market this summer.

The club have failed to sign a single player since their return to the top flight. That is not advisable for any promoted side at the best of times; when you only have nine fit senior players in your squad, it could be a recipe for disaster.

The club are still reeling from the departure of Steve Bruce, who left the KC last month after four years at the helm, with the club's lack of transfer activity cited as the main reason for his exit.

Meanwhile, Michael Dawson, Moses Odubajo, Allan McGregor and Alex Bruce are among those sidelined with long-term injuries.

Last season

Championship: Fourth – promoted via play-offs

FA Cup: Fifth round

League Cup: Fifth round

Top scorer: Abel Hernandez (22)

Manager – Mike Phelan

The man with the most unenviable gig in the Premier League. Following Steve Bruce's departure, his former assistant manager Phelan has taken the reins and will be in charge for the Tigers' Premier League opener against champions Leicester City. The search for a permanent manager is still on, however, with the Welsh FA turning down their ambitious attempts to prise Chris Coleman away. Gianfranco Zola , whose last managerial job was with Al-Arabi in Qatar, is also in the running.

Key player – Curtis Davies

Curtis Davies has pleaded for unity since Bruce's departure, but even he had to laugh at the dire straits Hull are in. The captain this week posted a picture of the club's current nine-man squad, not ideal a week ahead of your season opener. Whatever players Hull do manage to get in, be from their youth ranks or elsewhere, Davies will have a crucial role to play in leading them.

Expectations

Hull's recent flings with the Premier League ensured they were not an automatic selection to go straight back down when they were promoted last May. That is certainly no longer the case. The lack of investment from a board currently in disarray, a desperate injury crisis and a vacant managerial seat means they are one of the favourites to head straight back down.

IBTimes UK prediction – 20<sup>th

Hull's problems are as deep as they get and a squad so bereft of quality and numbers without a manager leading them through this current crisis are only going in one direction.