Hull vs West Ham: 5 Reasons Why Tigers Can Pull Off An Upset

3. Transfer Dealings

The transfer window gives teams the chance to strengthen for the coming season and also move on any dead wood to lighten the wage bill, for promoted sides the summer months are imperative for these very reasons as many Championship sides left how they are wouldn't survive the harsh realities of the top flight. Hull's dealings in this transfer window for me have been fantastic. They have looked at their squad, moved on the likes of Devitt, McKenna, Simpson and Olofinjana and brought in proven Premiership quality with the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermoore from Spurs and Brucie old boys Ahmed Elmohamady and Maynor Figueroa. This spine of reliability will certainly boost Hull's chances of surviving the drop as in Huddlestone and Livermore they have two hungry players desperate to play football, which they weren't getting at their former club and with a World Cup on the horizon both may have slight hopes of making the England squad due to the lack of bite in recent international matches. By bringing in players like Figueroa and Elmohamady Bruce has himself men with experience of battling relegation year on year. Regardless of the capabilities of his squad that won promotion I always feel it is vital to have such players in the locker room as it gives the younger lads a lift and keeps them steady when out on the pitch. In West Ham, Hull are sure to have their work cut out due to the physicality of their opponents and the experience offered by these vets will surely play a part in this encounter. Between the sticks they have the great addition of Allan McGregor who formally plied his trade for Rangers before an ill fated move to Turkey, who is currently Scotland's first choice keeper and Hull will need him to be in inspired form this coming season.