Soccer Premier League

5 Biggest Disappointments for Hull City So Far This Season

5 Biggest Disappointments for Hull City So Far This Season

Hull City Logo
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Last season’s English FA Cup final feat achieved by Steve Bruce’s Hull City went down in history as the English Premier League club’s very first Cup Final in England, but the hope of a rise in status as a result of that has been met with some major disappointments since the start of the new 2014-15 EPL season. Here are five major setbacks that have so far hindered the team’s development on and off the pitch.

5. European debut failure

Steve Bruce expressing disappointment at club's Europe failure
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5. European debut failure

Steve Bruce expressing disappointment at club's Europe failure
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Hull secured a place in the UEFA Europa League by virtue of being English FA Cup finalists against Arsenal. However, the team's run was cut short just after the second opponent in the playoffs. Hull entered the competition in the third qualifying round, and eventually lost to Belgian side Lokeren on away goals.

4. Rebranding attempt rejected by the English FA

English FA Chairman, Greg Dykes
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4. Rebranding attempt rejected by the English FA

English FA Chairman, Greg Dykes
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Hull owner Assem Allam's rebranding attempt hit a roadblock with the FA refusing to go in the club’s direction. Allam had announced in the summer of 2013 that by the 2014-15 season, the club would have been renamed Hull Tigers because he believed it would be beneficial for marketing purposes. However, the FA released a statement in April, 2014 announcing the rejection of the club’s application for name change.

3. EPL Season appalling so far

Tom Huddlestone receiving a yellow card
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3. EPL Season appalling so far

Tom Huddlestone receiving a yellow card
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After the opening day victory over Queens Park Rangers, the Tigers went almost two months with a run of draws and losses. No other victory came the way of Hull until the 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in October and after that, the Steve Bruce-led squad hasn't managed another.

2. Hatem Ben Arfa and the underperforming summer signings

Hatem Ben Arfa
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2. Hatem Ben Arfa and the underperforming summer signings

Hatem Ben Arfa
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The fortune of Hull City has yet to change this season as a result of underperformance by stars signed during the summer transfer window. Despite signing top EPL performers like Hatem Ben Arfa, Gaston Ramirez, Momo Diame, Thomas Ince and Michael Dawson, Hull still suffers some very avoidable mistakes in their build-up play and defensively. This is a situation that has stagnated the team around the relegation zone.

1. Hull Chairman, Assem Allam has put club up for sale

Hull Chairman, Assem Allam
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1. Hull Chairman, Assem Allam has put club up for sale

Hull Chairman, Assem Allam
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Chairman and owner Assem Allam revealed in September that the club is up for sale, and this represents another big blow for a club on the steady path of development under Allam. While not ruling out the possibility of another regime with better policies and strategic development plans, the Allam’s reign would be greatly missed.

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