Hull City have put together a promising squad despite having to operate within EFL restrictions in the summer window
Hull City have made a decent start to their Championship campaign, a first under the guidance of Sergej Jakirovic.
With the second international break coming to an end, and nine matches under their belt the Tigers have won three and lost three, with victory over Sheffield United last time out sending them to Birmingham on Saturday confident they can put the summer struggles behind them.
Those issues saw City tangle with the EFL and transfer restrictions imposed which limited them to free transfers and loan signings. In the end 12 new faces arrived at MKM Stadium and so far Jakirovic has fashioned a promising side.
Here’s what we’ve made of City’s summer arrivals so far….
Semi Ajayi 6/10
Was superb at Coventry on the opening day as City drew 0-0. He was then hit by a hamstring injury which has come as a major blow to him and City. Came on for the final few minutes against Sheffield United and gave away a daft penalty for a foul on Danny Ings. Fortunately, Ivor Pandur bailed him out by saving Harrison Burrows’ penalty. Ajayi was a big signing for City, but he needs to stay fit, and that’s something he’s struggled to do in the last year or so.
Akin Famewo 5/10
Aside from a couple of fleeting appearances off the bench, the ex-Sheffield Wednesday defender has found it tough to make his mark. Like Ajayi, he’s been ravaged by injury since arriving and will hope those problems are behind him now.
Playing 90 minutes for the Under-21s at Coventry City on Tuesday was important, as was coming through that game unscathed. His challenge is to make sure he’s available for selection, and then battle Ajayi, John Egan and Charlie Hughes to get into the team.
Enis Destan 5/10
To continue the theme, he’s only just finding his feet after arriving at the club in the summer with a knee injury. There’s been a fair bit of talk about his potential, but we’re yet to see any of it in the Championship. He needs time to adapt to a new country and new league, so in fairness, it’s too early to judge him just yet.
Oli McBurnie 9/10
Is it harsh to only give him nine? Seven goals and three assists probably don’t tell the story of how influential McBurnie has been for City so far. Without question, the best free transfer signing made by any club at this level this season, and probably for some time. He’s their talisman, and if he stays fit, he’s the Tigers’ best chance of mounting a genuine challenge for the top six. Oh, and he’s a great interviewee, too.
David Akintola 7/10
The Nigerian winger has been fairly inconsistent, which probably explains why he’s landed in the Championship at City after leaving the Turkish Super Lig in the summer.
So far, he’s notched an assist for Joe Gelhardt at Bristol City and scored the winner with a deflected volley against Sheffield United, which is encouraging for a player adapting to a new country and division. In reality, he’s not going to be first choice when Liam Millar and Mo Belloumi are fully fit, but he’s a useful squad player based on what we’ve seen so far.
Darko Gyabi 5.5/10
The deadline day arrival from Leeds United was slightly behind the curve joining a month after the season started. His first start came against the Blades when he put in a good shift before running out of steam. He’s had time with the Under-21s to build his match fitness and could well come in and do a job in the middle of the park.
Brandon Williams 5/10
It’s tough to gauge, given the well-documented troubles Williams has had in recent years. He’s not played in two years, bar a few minutes off the bench back in August, so has a way to go before he’s capable of competing for a first team place. Ninety minutes for the Under-21s in Tuesday will help him but you feel he’s still some way off the level required. Darko Gyabi
Joel Ndala (loan) 6/10
The young England winger started the season really brightly and got his first goal at Wrexham in the cup. He had shown some real glimpses of quality, before becoming the latest to succumb to injury. When he’s fit, he’s quick, fleet-footed and exciting, albeit with plenty of room for improvement. Getting him back after the break will be important.
John Lundstram (loan) 7.5/10
The Liverpudlian gets an extra mark for his third-man run and superb volley in the win over Southampton alone. The experienced performer has shown real quality at times, though he’s had to play alongside different partners which can be unsettling, especially when trying to build partnerships.
He’s still finding his feet back in the Championship after a period of time in Scotland and Turkey, but there’s no doubt about his quality.
Joe Gelhardt (loan) 7/10
‘Joff’ has been what many expected, and that’s inconsistent. He’s got a couple of goals to his name and has shown real moments of quality. He’s one of those players you feel better about when they’re in the team. He’s still young and improving, but there’s no doubt Gelhardt is a talent and on his day, a big asset.
Amir Hadžiahmetović (loan) 6/10
Signed from Besiktas, the Bosnian has shown flashes of why Jakirovic was so keen to sign him. The worry is that alongside Lundstram, City’s midfield doesn’t have the dynamism and energy required in this league, something that was highlighted in the first half against Preston. He’s clearly a very cultured footballer and in the right game, he’s an asset, I’m just not sure it’s every week. When he replaced Lundstram against the Blades and partnered Regan Slater with Darko Gyabi in the team too, there looked a bit more energy.
Dillon Phillips 5/10
In fairness to Phillips, his one and only appearance so far came in the Carabao Cup at Wrexham, and he conceded three times, two of those coming from Ollie Palmer’s headers 90 seconds apart in injury time. City went from 3-1 up and going through to drawing 3-3 and going out on penalties. Hard to judge him on being back-up to Ivor Pandur after just one outing, albeit one where he didn’t cover himself in glory.
How would you rate City’s signings so far? Have your say in the comments below…
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