Hull City brought their week-long training camp to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Shota Arveladze’s Kasimpasa, as attention now turns to their domestic schedule. City had a full week of training at the headquarters of the Turkish FA in Riva, and won both games against Istanbulspor and Kasimpasa, seeing them leave in good spirits.
The Tigers went out to Istanbul from Humberside airport on July 13 with 34 players and returned with one less after Sean McLoughlin left early to seal a move to Blackburn Rovers. While there’s no shortage of doubt surrounding the future of a number of first team players, the trip was a big positive for new head coach Sergej Jakirovic, his coaching staff and a host of players who attempted to grasp their opportunity to impress the Bosnian.
Here’s a look at who has benefited from the trip, and those who perhaps haven’t….
Winners
Cody Drameh
There’s been a lot of talk about Drameh over the summer amid the growing interest in the right-back. In training, Drameh has looked fit, strong and really bright. The hamstring injury picked up by Lewie Coyle hands Drameh a chance to stake a claim for a starting berth at the CBS Stadium early next month.
Drameh needs to be playing if City are to be able to fend off interest and keep him at the MKM Stadium, so having that little bit of luck can only work in his favour.
Pharrell Brown
It’s no secret that the Tigers are light out in wide areas and are keen to add strength in depth there, even with Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi edging closer to a first-team return.
Abu Kamara is the only senior winger in the squad fit and available, even if there is doubt about his long-term future, so Pharrell Brown’s cameo on Tuesday which culminated in him scoring the winning goal has surely strengthened his case. He did well against Kasimpasa, laying on the winner for Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, so it’s far to say he’s grasped his chance.
He’s still young and has an awful lot to learn and playing in the Championship is a very different affair compared to playing against Istanbulspor, but he’s done himself no harm.
Cathal McCarthy
A bit like young Brown, Cathal McCartney has been a real bright spot throughout the week. A few days before the trip, the teenager probably didn’t believe he would be part of the first team setup in Turkey, but he has been, and he’s not looked out of place.
McCarthy’s display in midfield against Istanbulspor was really positive, especially given he’s a central defender by trade. Whether or not he will be in the Championship squad come the start of the season remains to be seen, however, he’s done himself absolutely no harm whatsoever.
Semi Ajayi
The early summer signing following his departure from West Brom has looked every inch the calm, composed defender you’d expect for somebody who has amassed two hundred Championship games in his career. There was one challenge on poor Harry Vaughan that sent shivers down your spine. The way he just cannoned into Vaughan to win the ball off him was quite a sight to behold, as was the thud that followed.
He has the power to be a big player for City this season, if he can stay fit and prove the injury troubles of last season are well behind him.
Kyle Joseph
The striker has endured a difficult spell since joining in a £2.5m move from Blackpool in January, and his lack of goals in the second half of the season was well-documented. Getting off the mark against Istanbulspor will have given him big confidence, especially as he gets back to full fitness following ankle surgery during the summer.
The challenge for Joseph is to keep that momentum building throughout the next few weeks, building into the Championship, and then get himself going in the league as quickly as possible.
Other notable mentions
It’s been a good week for Ryan Giles to get back on the pitch after his ankle problem, and he’s shown glimpses of the quality we all know he has. City needs a fully fit Ryan Giles to be at it. It’s also been a positive trip for Liam Millar and Mohamed Belloumi as they continue their recovery from their ACL injuries, and Tyrell Sellars-Fleming scoring his second in three games will give him a major boost of confidence.
Losers
Reda Laaloui
Due to injury, the young Moroccan hasn’t kicked a ball in training. He’s spent the sessions walking around the perimeter of the training pitch with one of the fitness coaches, so at least it’s been good for his step count.
Like Gustavo Puerta, the uncertainty around City’s transfer ban means he cannot yet be registered, and that’s hugely unfortunate for him, so hopefully that gets resolved sooner rather than later.
Gustavo Puerta
Puerta has done slightly more than Alzate in terms of work on the training pitch, but he hasn’t played in either of the games. The uncertainty around his future is not ideal, and while it’s being discussed by City’s hierarchy and the EFL, ultimately, there’s a young lad there not able to play football, and that’s unfortunate.
Steven Alzate
The Colombian hasn’t kicked a ball all week and hasn’t featured in any of the training sessions or games. It’s likely that Alzate will be moved on in the coming days with a move to the MLS close.
It’s a shame for City because the 26-year-old was one of the Tigers’ most consistent performers last season, and his imminent exit will leave a hole in the middle of the park that needs replacing.
While not insurmountable, Alzate’s ability on the ball is obvious, and City will need to work hard to get him replaced sooner rather than later.
Lewie Coyle
The skipper had barely been on the pitch for five minutes when disaster struck against Istanbulspor. He immediately clutched the back of his leg.
Coyle’s hamstring has gone, and he’s now facing at least a month on the sidelines, which significantly risks his availability for the season opener at Coventry City. Unfortunately for Coyle, that hands the shirt to Cody Drameh, you would think, and he will have a battle on to earn back his place in Jakirovic’s side.
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