As Hull City kick-off the new season with a trip to QPR, we ask pundits including David Burns, Peter Swan and Michael Owen, how they think the Tigers will do in the Premier League and Europe.David Burns, Radio Humberside commentator
I'm expecting another good season from City. I think they'll finish higher than last season as the FA Cup run halted their momentum in the league.
People talk of Europe being a distraction and the problems it caused for Swansea last season, but I prefer to think of what Fulham achieved when they reached the Europa League final and had a good Premier League season too. By the way, if Steve Bruce emulates Roy Hodgson then get ready for the "Bruce for England" calls!
I've been impressed with Bruce's recruitment, young British players with potential and quality. I think the signing of Robert Snodgrass is the one that most excites me, he'll shine this season and can run a game.
My only slight worry on the recruitment front is I'd like to have seen another striker.
I think the team's greatest strength, apart from Bruce's outstanding qualities as a manager, is the camaraderie in the squad and the team spirit.
It could be that his greatest challenge is keeping that spirit and keeping everyone happy as there is fierce competition for places. That slight worry aside, I'm expecting onwards and upwards this season.• City finish: 14th• Champions: Chelsea• Top 4: Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd• Relegated: West Brom, Leicester, Burnley• FA Cup winners: Man Utd
Peter Swan, ex-Hull City player and Mail columnist Everything is in place for City to improve on last season's 16th place finish in the Premier League. Another cup run to the final would be great but having taken 110 years to get there for the first time, it might be a bit too much to expect this time around, but you never know. If City are to do well in the league this campaign, they are going to have to get points on the board early like they did last season. It will be a longer season with the European adventure which will hopefully include the group stages and some big games against some of the big European clubs. The squad has been assembled to deal with that, although the departure of Shane Long leaves a gap to fill in attack and they could do with another striker.• City finish: 11th• Champions: Man City• Top 4: Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal• Relegated: QPR, West Brom, Palace• FA Cup: Chelsea
Philip Buckingham, Hull city reporter Hull City's greatest ever squad can make this the greatest season. The adventures in the Europa League will ensure this campaign lives long in the memory but I fully expect another strong year for City in the Premier League. Take away last season's top seven, plus perhaps Newcastle United in light of their astute strengthening, and there will be very little to separate half a dozen clubs. It will be another season of fine margins for all those clubs, City included, but Steve Bruce has improved his squad significantly in the space of 12 months. They're not novices in the Premier League anymore and boast players others would envy. Good fortune will be needed if Europe brings 10 additional games before the turn of the year but there's two players fighting for favouritism in every position. Although it might sound clichéd, City also have an enviable team spirit. That British and Irish core makes them a close-knit bunch and that will aid them once the going gets tough. There will be sticky times but it's hard to envisage City being sucked into trouble come next May.• City finish: 12th• Champions: Chelsea• Top 4: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Swansea• FA Cup: Tottenham
Matt Dean, Radio Humberside sports editor I'm expecting City to have a similar season to their last one in the Premier League. Mastering the demands of any potential run in the Europa League will be key. That challenge will be there for all to see given the lack of homegrown talent available to Steve Bruce to supplement his Europa League squads. The unexpected loss of Shane Long so close to the outset of the season certainly wasn't part of the plan. Whilst he wasn't the panacea to all of last season's goalscoring problems, he was still an important cog. However, there's no doubt the offer was too good to turn down and I have faith Bruce will use the sale to improve his attack again. His summer recruitment so far has given further proof he should be trusted to spend the money wisely. In Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass, I feel City have signed two players who'll improve the side's attacking potency. A good start would dispel any lingering fear that the limp way last season ended in the Premier League might percolate through into this one. Talking to the players, I'm told the squad continues to have a togetherness which has helped move the club forward since Bruce arrived. I expect City will remain a competitive force and avoid any "second-season syndrome".• City finish: 15th• Champions: Manchester United• Top 4: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Swansea• FA Cup: Chelsea
Brad Rial, Mail writer The new season is very much a step into the unknown for City. Should they negotiate the Europa League play-off against Lokeren, they're guaranteed another six games before Christmas and it will prove a tough balancing act for Steve Bruce. But there is a great depth to this City squad that is capable of competing on more than one front. The transfer business so far in this window has been excellent. Jake Livermore and Robert Snodgrass are proven players at this level and Tom Ince, Harry Maguire and Andrew Robertson are exciting prospects. Shane Long aside, it looks like the spine of the team that did so well last season will also remain intact and a lower mid-table finish shouldn't be out of City's reach. The 2013-14 season was the most successful in the club's history but I think this one has the potential to be even better.• City finish: 12th• Champions: Man City• Top Four: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Aston Villa• FA Cup: Chelsea
Michael Owen, former England star I loved watching Hull City last season. Steve Bruce has worked wonders and considering where the club were a few years back, their progress has been astounding. Their 16th place finish last season doesn't do them justice. The Cup final was given priority once safety was assured and that affected their points total somewhat. The main worry is how they will cope with the added workload of the Europa League, but Bruce will be aware of that and has strengthened accordingly.• City finish: 9th• Champions: Chelsea• Top Four: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool• Relegated: Leicester, West Brom, Burnley
Peter Swan, ex-Hull City player and Mail columnist Everything is in place for City to improve on last season's 16th place finish in the Premier League. Another cup run to the final would be great but having taken 110 years to get there for the first time, it might be a bit too much to expect this time around, but you never know. If City are to do well in the league this campaign, they are going to have to get points on the board early like they did last season. It will be a longer season with the European adventure which will hopefully include the group stages and some big games against some of the big European clubs. The squad has been assembled to deal with that, although the departure of Shane Long leaves a gap to fill in attack and they could do with another striker.• City finish: 11th• Champions: Man City• Top 4: Man City, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal• Relegated: QPR, West Brom, Palace• FA Cup: Chelsea
Philip Buckingham, Hull city reporter Hull City's greatest ever squad can make this the greatest season. The adventures in the Europa League will ensure this campaign lives long in the memory but I fully expect another strong year for City in the Premier League. Take away last season's top seven, plus perhaps Newcastle United in light of their astute strengthening, and there will be very little to separate half a dozen clubs. It will be another season of fine margins for all those clubs, City included, but Steve Bruce has improved his squad significantly in the space of 12 months. They're not novices in the Premier League anymore and boast players others would envy. Good fortune will be needed if Europe brings 10 additional games before the turn of the year but there's two players fighting for favouritism in every position. Although it might sound clichéd, City also have an enviable team spirit. That British and Irish core makes them a close-knit bunch and that will aid them once the going gets tough. There will be sticky times but it's hard to envisage City being sucked into trouble come next May.• City finish: 12th• Champions: Chelsea• Top 4: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Swansea• FA Cup: Tottenham
Matt Dean, Radio Humberside sports editor I'm expecting City to have a similar season to their last one in the Premier League. Mastering the demands of any potential run in the Europa League will be key. That challenge will be there for all to see given the lack of homegrown talent available to Steve Bruce to supplement his Europa League squads. The unexpected loss of Shane Long so close to the outset of the season certainly wasn't part of the plan. Whilst he wasn't the panacea to all of last season's goalscoring problems, he was still an important cog. However, there's no doubt the offer was too good to turn down and I have faith Bruce will use the sale to improve his attack again. His summer recruitment so far has given further proof he should be trusted to spend the money wisely. In Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass, I feel City have signed two players who'll improve the side's attacking potency. A good start would dispel any lingering fear that the limp way last season ended in the Premier League might percolate through into this one. Talking to the players, I'm told the squad continues to have a togetherness which has helped move the club forward since Bruce arrived. I expect City will remain a competitive force and avoid any "second-season syndrome".• City finish: 15th• Champions: Manchester United• Top 4: Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Swansea• FA Cup: Chelsea
Brad Rial, Mail writer The new season is very much a step into the unknown for City. Should they negotiate the Europa League play-off against Lokeren, they're guaranteed another six games before Christmas and it will prove a tough balancing act for Steve Bruce. But there is a great depth to this City squad that is capable of competing on more than one front. The transfer business so far in this window has been excellent. Jake Livermore and Robert Snodgrass are proven players at this level and Tom Ince, Harry Maguire and Andrew Robertson are exciting prospects. Shane Long aside, it looks like the spine of the team that did so well last season will also remain intact and a lower mid-table finish shouldn't be out of City's reach. The 2013-14 season was the most successful in the club's history but I think this one has the potential to be even better.• City finish: 12th• Champions: Man City• Top Four: Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool• Relegated: West Brom, Burnley, Aston Villa• FA Cup: Chelsea
Michael Owen, former England star I loved watching Hull City last season. Steve Bruce has worked wonders and considering where the club were a few years back, their progress has been astounding. Their 16th place finish last season doesn't do them justice. The Cup final was given priority once safety was assured and that affected their points total somewhat. The main worry is how they will cope with the added workload of the Europa League, but Bruce will be aware of that and has strengthened accordingly.• City finish: 9th• Champions: Chelsea• Top Four: Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool• Relegated: Leicester, West Brom, Burnley
