Only twelve months ago, the vast majority of the **Hull City** squad were in a side that critics wrote off. Embargoed by the EFL, they were stuck with free transfers and loans to try keep in the **Championship** after only surviving with a point on the final day just months before.
Manager **Sergé Jakirovic** was an unknown, and many also tipped him to be sacked pretty quickly with his inexperience in English football.
As I say, football is a funny thing.
Of the twenty players selected against **Manchester United** for their first Premier League fixture in over nine years, eleven of them were at the club in August last year when they won their opening Championship fixture against **Oxford United** 3-2. Indeed, eight of the starting eleven against the Red Devils were City players last year, and four of them started against the Us almost exactly a year ago.
Many critics and even Hull City fans have been worried throughout the summer that owner **Acun Ilıcalı** has not acted quick enough or signed the right players, or even that the club were lowballing teams to try and get players on the cheap.
The performance against United was proof that actually, the club have gone about their business superbly and although some areas still need strengthening, the players that got the Tigers into the Premier League may have something to offer the team at the very highest level of world football.
[**Hull City owner celebrates at full time**](https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/acun-ilicali-owner-of-hull-city-celebrates-during-the-news-photo/2290914706)
League One to Premier League
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There are a number of players who deserve a huge amount of credit from their performance against Manchester United. The goalkeeper, **Konstantinos Tzolakis**, looks a very shrewd acquisition, as does **Nobel Mendy**. **Matt Crooks** and **Ryan Giles** were two players who did well last season for City and they were excellent. **Semi Ajayi** and **Oli McBurnie** also impressed However, there are two players that are worth heaping praise on, even if it is only week one of the season.
Lewie Coyle
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The man some fans loved to hate last year certainly stepped up against Manchester United, despite many claiming he wouldn’t stand a chance against their frontline. He barely put a foot wrong all game, and although he came off for **Cody Drameh** (who also had a massively impressive showing off the bench) with twenty minutes to go, he certainly did his home town proud.
Coyle joined City six years ago back in August 2020. In Coyle’s first campaign, the Tigers won their first league title since 1966 during the COVID affected season before spending five seasons in the Championship. There are not many players who play in three different divisions for a team, and Coyle is one of these.
Although many question his ability at times, he showed against United that on his day, he can absolutely compete against top sides. His first time crosses are extremely dangerous, and but for good United defending it could have led to a Hull City opener early in the second half.
It may be that Coyle’s performances dip as the intensity of the league increases. Certainly, strengthening right back/ right wing back is an area City could do to look at. However, as Drameh also showed when he came on, the players that worked hard to get the club where they are today deserve their chance against Premier League opposition. Coyle has definitely silenced his critics today, and I hope that continues long into the season.
Regan Slater
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“Fifty grand, fifty grand, Regan Slater” was the shout from the crowd today as it always has been since the boyhood Sheffield United fan signed for City back in 2020, originally on loan. Made permanent in 2022, the £50,000 fee paid for him beggars believe watching him play against **Bruno Fernandes** et al.
Again, Slater - like Coyle - is one player that has come under a fair bit of criticism during his time at the Tigers. Many deemed him not good enough just two seasons ago, but after then manager **Tim Walter** left the club he has come on leaps and bounds.
Although never prolific, he scored two important goals last year against **Birmingham City** and **Swansea City** and played consistently across the season. His energy and desire in midfield endeared him to the City faithful in their promotion season, so much so they serenaded him at **Millwall** in the playoff semi final with “\_\_\_\_\_ more years, \_\_\_\_\_ more years, Regan Slater” starting from one and going all the way up to ten.
His tenacity in midfield was there for all to see on the biggest stage today, but the delivery of his corner for the first goal and the free kick for the second proved just how important he could be for the Tigers this season.
He will have won a lot of admirers from his performance today, and the transfer fee will leave many with raised eyebrows who are not familiar with his game. Slater deserves this attention, and City fans will be hoping he thrives off it over the coming weeks and months.
By no means should the Tigers faithful get carried away - this is one game. However, they are used to being written off; used to being belittled by pundits who think they’re just there to make up the numbers.
Manchester United know that’s not the case now - and maybe, just maybe, City will take a few more teams by surprise this year.