Wednesday 5 May 2010

The fire sale (part one)

It's well documented that Hull City need to get shut of several big earners, irrespective of their ability or attitude, in order to close just a little bit of the yawning financial vacuum currently threatening to send the Tigers into administration over the summer. So, over the next two days, let's have a look at the whole squad and see where these cuts can be made...

1: Boaz Myhill
Despite some hefty and largely over-the-top criticism of late, Myhill is still as good a goalkeeper as a club of City's standing can expect to attract, and he has experience, love of the club and relative cheapness to his advantage. His current status as substitute goalkeeper will be as temporary as the previous ones.
Verdict: Keep

3: Andy Dawson



Has occasionally looked like the lower division player he was much for his career, but is experienced, low-maintenance, utterly dedicated and more than adequate at Championship level.
Verdict: Keep

4: Ian Ashbee
Providing he is fit, the question about whether to keep the greatest skipper in the club's history is an evident no-brainer.
Verdict: Keep

5: Anthony Gardner
He came from Spurs and therefore can't be on a low wage, but one wonders if his injury record and general level of performance can attract a bidder. If not, then the question may depend on whether he had a relegation clause inserted into his contract. Beggars can't be choosers, however, and if a lower-half Premier League club comes in with a sum of money he must be allowed to leave.
Verdict: Sell

6: Paul McShane
Fits the double negative of these troubled times better than any other player in the squad - earns too much and not good enough. Again, one wonders if anyone would care to bid for him. Could still be useful in the Championship but his wages are a real problem.
Verdict: Sell

7: Craig Fagan
The Championship is his level, at best, and despite the chippiness overriding - and sometimes complete hiding - any genuine footballing ability, he is an inexpensive, committed and useful performer when his head is right.
Verdict: Keep

8: Nick Barmby
Despite his illustrious career he won't be on a fortune, and it's a question that will need to be answered soon as he is out of contract in the summer. His commitment and popularity will never be questioned, but at 36 he is showing definite signs of slowing down, and if he doesn't choose to retire, someone may be forced into a very awkward decision.
Verdict: Release

9: Jozy Altidore
Only gets mentioned as he is still technically a City player, even though he is essentially a dead duck as his red card against Sunderland ended his season and, given that Villareal want £6 million that we have no chance of paying, we are very unlikely to see him again. Fun while it lasted, and if he can work on his anticipation up front he'll be a good goalscorer for someone.
Verdict: Release

10: Geovanni



Tough one. His wages will be high without being astronomical and if he does hang around, the Championship will be his to dominate. But his attitude has been poor in the latter half of this season and there is the obvious danger that could extend into the new season. A club in the lower reaches of the Premier League should want him.
Verdict: Sell

11: Stephen Hunt
If one can assume high wages can ever be justified, then Hunt comes closest to proving it. Brilliant until his foot injury ended his season, that very injury means that few teams will look at him until he is fit again, by which time the Tigers will hopefully get three months out of him before January prompts his departure.
Verdict: Keep

12: Matt Duke
We've had the same two goalkeepers for a long time now, and although Duke is the current first-choice stopper, he isn't the best keeper at the club. But his attitude his spot on and, of course, his background means his wages will be manageable for a good while to come. If a League One team wants him to be first choice then there'd be no harm in letting him go but otherwise there's no urgency at all.
Verdict: Keep

13: Mark Cullen
One start, one goal, one of a few very bright prospects for the future on whose shoulders the revival of the club will be placed. His youth, plus his goalscoring record in the reserves, might prompt a few sniffs from bigger clubs but for now he is very much ours for keeps.
Verdict: Keep

14: Richard Garcia
Out of contract this summer and with little known dialogue taking place about renewal, the Australian may have played his last game for the club. However, he did have bright moments in the Premier League to go with the mainly disappointing periods, and he was quality in the Championship both for the Tigers and previously with Colchester.
Verdict: Renegotiate

15: Bernard Mendy



The great enigma, probably the most naturally gifted footballer at the club but with a stinking attitude that he gets away with thanks to eccentricities and a tendency to applaud the fans for self-aware long periods after games. He will have suitors from the Premier League and abroad, and the Tigers must cash in.
Verdict: Sell

16: Peter Halmosi
An outright failure since the day he arrived, and still has two years left on his contract. Yet he is clearly a gifted winger when circumstances allow, and it was his terrific performances in the Championship that tempted City to buy him in the first place. Home in Hungary on loan now but due back, and preferably to stay.
Verdict: Keep

17: Kevin Kilbane
He has simply never looked remotely good enough while, presumably, picking up a decent wage considering his Premier League pedigree and colossal tally of international caps. Again, one has to ask who would want him but there should be someone somewhere.
Verdict: Sell

18: Caleb Folan
A player simply not good enough for the Premier League but who has cheapness, at the very least, on his side as we drop down. If the more affluent strikers leave and there isn't much in the pot to get anyone in, we may be left with no choice. He did partially succeed in the Championship but was still upstaged by two other centre forwards.
Verdict: Keep

Part two tomorrow.