Hull City head for a mini tour of Germany tomorrow morning with just three friendly games remaining before the season kicks-off in 17 days. Steve Bruce's plans are coming together but who will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? Philip Buckingham assesses his options.FORMATION
In five of Hull City's six pre-season friendlies to date, Steve Bruce has started with the same 3-5-2 shape that inspired promotion out of the Championship last season. That has changed to a 4-4-2 in spells, most notably against Peterborough on Monday, but Bruce has hinted he will keep faith with the wing-back shape in the top flight. It was a shape devised by Bruce to suit his players and the majority of his squad remain well-versed in its detail.
The three-man defence would be more like a five-man rearguard when visiting the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in the opening month, but Bruce will hope the ability to counter attack down the flanks will catch opponents by surprise.GOALKEEPER
Bringing in Allan McGregor and Steve Harper to join Eldin Jakupovic, Bruce is comfortable with his goalkeeping options for the first time in his City reign. The use of nine different keepers during three years in the Championship begs for the 2013-14 season to deliver continuity and McGregor has been earmarked as that man. While he has arrived at the KC Stadium without experience of the Premier League, the Scot has ample big-game experience from the Champions League and international stage.
The fact that Bruce has spent £1.8m on McGregor will almost certainly assure him of an extended run in the side. Behind him and vying for second-choice will be Harper and Jakupovic. Both are more than capable to adopt a support role for McGregor and also step into the side should injuries hit. Mark Oxley, on a long-term loan at Oldham, could also be recalled if needed.DEFENCE
The decision to let Jack Hobbs join Nottingham Forest was not a universally popular one but underlined just how content Bruce is with his central defensive choices this summer. Landing Curtis Davies and Maynor Figueroa has added Premier League experience and competition for James Chester, Alex Bruce, Abdoulaye Faye and Paul McShane.
Barring Faye, who has been troubled by a calf injury in pre-season, all the defenders have been given chances to impress in a three-man system. Figueroa, the natural left-footer, looks likely to fill one of the positions, while Davies' £2.25m outlay was not spent for him to warm the bench. That would leave just one position remaining and Chester's promise makes him the obvious front-runner. Bruce, McShane and Faye will push for places and will surely get their opportunities over the course of the season.MIDFIELD
A "thin" central midfield is the area most troubling Bruce now and the side that faces Chelsea will hinge on City's success in the transfer market this month. Wilson Palacios has always been the main target to add steel to the heart of the Tigers but Bruce may yet have to go with what is already at his disposal. The injury problems of Corry Evans make him a doubt for the opening weekend and, as things stand, David Meyler may need to fill the holding role. The industrious Stephen Quinn, a big favourite of Bruce, will be handed his top-flight chance but Robert Koren, Tom Cairney and George Boyd have work still to do to pin down their places in midfield. Out wide will come City's marauding wing-backs.
Ahmed Elmohamady on the right and Robbie Brady on the left were integral to City's success last season, but the availability of Joe Dudgeon and Liam Rosenior could enable changes if Brady is pushed on to an attacking berth.ATTACK
The availability once more of Sone Aluko and Matty Fryatt, coupled with the arrivals of Danny Graham and Yannick Sagbo last month, gives Bruce attacking depth he has seldom enjoyed at the KC Stadium.
It also provides him with a big conundrum ahead of Chelsea. Much will depend on Sagbo's success in the next three friendly games but his unknown quality may see him used as an impact player off the bench in the early stages of his City career.
Bruce has tellingly worked with Graham and Aluko in tandem during recent weeks and that partnership could be first offered the chance to impress.
Graham's hold-up play and Aluko's invention in between midfield and attack has the potential to trouble opponents before turning to others as the games wear on. Sagbo, Fryatt and Nick Proschwitz all offer something different off the bench but none will give up hope of staking their claims in the next 10 days.
