Hull City have again been written off before a ball of the new Premier League season is kicked in anger, in what’s fast becoming a familiar tale for Tigers fans.
Just as they were throughout last season, few are giving the Tigers any hope of avoiding an immediate return to the second tier, and it won’t come as any surprise to those inside the MKM Stadium dressing room.
Former Sheffield Wednesday star Chris Waddle is the latest to suggest Sergej Jakirovic and his squad have it all to do to remain in the Premier League, unless they spend big.
The Tigers are hoping to have a busy summer as they look to give Jakirovic a squad capable of competing at the highest level of English football, their first foray to the top league in a decade.
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City’s promotion-winning squad in the Championship will need work, and without major investment, he believes the Tigers will be thrust straight into a relegation battle.
“Let’s be perfectly honest, to survive in the Premier League, you generally need to spend around £200m-£250m,” Waddle said in conversation with Andy’s Bet Club. “Many clubs, unfortunately, can’t do that. So, you know what you’re walking into: a relegation battle.”
Jakirovic’s squad that ended a stunning campaign with victory in the play-off final over Middlesbrough last month had an average age of just over 27, something Waddle suggests could be an issue.
“Look at a team like Hull coming up, they have an ageing squad. How are they going to survive in the Premier League? It’s going to be basically impossible for them.”
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