Hull City vice-chairman Ehab Allam is confident the club have done enough in the transfer market to succeed in the Premier League. And he believes the Tigers' first three top-flight performances have demonstrated the quality of the club's strengthening over the summer.
Despite City missing out on what Allam described as an 'opportunistic bid' for West Brom striker Shane Long on Monday's deadline day, Allam now believes City have the quality to be competitive until the window reopens in January.
"We have been very encouraged by what we have seen in the opening three games of the season," Allam told the Mail. "Aside from the opening 20 minutes at Chelsea, the performances have been absolutely superb and we have shown we have the quality to compete with sides at this level.
"Also, all the new signings have shown they can be quality additions for us this season."
Although delighted with the start to the campaign, Allam admits City, having only scored from the penalty spot in three Premier League games, set out to add two new striking faces on Monday's deadline day.
Their move to sign Republic of Ireland international Long shocked many, with controversy continuing over the collapse of the deal at the 11th hour continuing last night.
Richard Garlick, sporting and technical director at the Baggies, claimed City had tried to reduce the fee initially agreed as they were unable to finance their original offer.
Sources in the midlands have told the Mail West Brom claim a straight £6.5m deal had been agreed.
Allam had previously told the Mail a deal of £5.5m, plus a further £1m in add-ons, was the deal being sought by the Tigers.
Garlick said: "We accepted Hull's offer in principle and gave them permission to speak to Shane, but the deal depended on many other factors – including a real reluctance to sell.
"Hull then informed us they could not finance the deal they had tabled and wanted to reduce it to a level that the club would never have accepted in the first place.
"Given that Shane was not a player we were looking to sell, we ended all negotiations with Hull there and then.
"Contrary to media reports, the decision to keep Shane had absolutely nothing to do with Romelu Lukaku opting to join Everton."
Allam was not available for comment last night to respond to the new claims of West Brom, issued on their club website, but had previously described City's bid to sign Long as an 'opportunistic' move.
"We have always said that if the right player is available that will improve the squad, at a realistic price, we will consider it," Allam said.
"When I woke up on Monday, I wasn't expecting to be bidding that sort of money for a player, but as the day progressed, it became apparent we might be able to sign Long and we thought it would be a good deal.
"It was an opportunistic move really from us, and one which would have been a good deal for us had it come off.
"It wasn't to be though, but this happens in football and you move on."
City had started the final day of the transfer window seeking to add two new striking additions to Steve Bruce's squad.
A deal to bring Egyptian Gedo back to the KC Stadium on a year-long loan from Al-Ahly proved straight forward, whilst City were initially in talks over another foreign striker.
Free agent Carlton Cole was also under consideration.
However, those two potential deals were left in favour of pursuing Long as the clock ticked down before market closure, eventually leaving the Tigers one man short in the area they were desperate to add quality.
Despite this, Allam still feels City can be confident about the four months ahead before they can look to strengthen again. Obviously, we were keen to add further depth up front, as we have seen already this season that with Sone Aluko injured, and Yannick Sagbo suspended, we look a little light of options.
"However, Danny Graham has made a good start, and produced an excellent finish at Manchester City, although it was ruled out.
"Steve brought both Danny and Yannick to the club as he obviously believes they can both do a job for us, so now we need to give them time to settle into the side and show what they can do.
Assessing City's entire business over the summer, in which City have signed 11 new faces for a total of £12.9m, Allam says City are pleased with the business done and perhaps, just as importantly, how they went about it.
And he says it will be the same approach come January, as City's position in the league, and the quality available, dictates their moves.
"Whilst we have obviously not been the biggest spenders in the market, when it comes to squad strengthening in the window, we have added one of the highest numbers of players in 11," he said.
"The thing that pleased us was that we got the majority of our business done early, so the players have had time to settle and feel part of the club and squad.
"Yes, we went in for Shane Long on deadline day and we missed out, but that wasn't panic.
It was opportunistic on our part. We saw a chance come up to possibly add a quality player in an area which would strengthen us, and we tried to do it.
"Come January we will approach it the same way. We will look at our position and if investments make sense, they will be made."
• Peter Swan: West Bromwich Albion within their rights to deny Hull City Shane Long deal
