Brad Rial argues Hull City should have played stronger teams in both legs of the Lokeren match and asks what crashing out of the Europa League means for Steve Bruce's squad with just days until the close of the transfer window.
It wasn't supposed to end like this. Not in August. Not when the European adventure had only just begun.
It wasn't merely disappointment that swept across the home crowd at the final whistle last night. There was a feeling of despondency, a realisation that that was that. Hull City were out of Europe.
All of the hype and the build-up in pre-season had stemmed from the Europa League. How would Steve Bruce cope with the demands of competing on four fronts? How far could City actually progress in the competition?
The wondrous thing about the Europa League was that it was something different, something unique for City. It was a step into the unknown for the fans, the manager and the majority of the players. So for it to be over so soon – before the summer transfer window has even closed – is difficult to stomach.
For some, disappointment will escalate to anger, and it's not difficult to see why. This was City's first ever season of European football in the club's 110-year history and yet it was clearly a long way behind the Premier League in the list of priorities.
It is telling that Tom Huddlestone – arguably the best player at the club – didn't feature at all in the first leg last week and was made to wait until the seventieth minute last night before being introduced.
I don't hold with the view that City can now "focus on the league" and that elimination from the Europa League is a "blessing in disguise". There was absolutely no reason why City couldn't have competed on both fronts. Now, it could be another twenty or thirty years before City qualify for Europe again.What next for the squad?
Steve Bruce said after the game that elimination would not affect his transfer policy, but I'd fully expect to see some trimming of the squad in the next few days.
After bringing in Michael Dawson, City are overloaded with six centre-backs (Dawson, Curtis Davies, James Chester, Alex Bruce, Harry Maguire and Paul McShane). Throw in Maynor Figueroa, who can also play there, and it is obvious at least one will be told he is free to leave.
There has been talk of Sheffield United looking to take Maguire back on loan, but that sounds like a better deal for the Blades than for City. Maguire is behind Chester, Davies and Dawson in the pecking order, but I'd prefer to see Bruce, McShane or Figueroa make way.
George Boyd is another who may well find first-team opportunities at a premium now City are out of Europe. He is struggling even to make the bench for Premier League games and a loan move may be the best bet.
Stephen Quinn, on the other hand, has looked every inch the Premier League midfielder so far this season and his performances in the opening two league games have silenced talk of him leaving the KC.
In terms of incomings, signing Abel Hernandez seems very much like Bruce playing his wildcard. The last time I saw the Uruguayan play he stole the show, scoring four goals. Admittedly, that was against Tahiti, who would struggle to survive in League Two.
Bruce has developed a strong core of British and Irish players since he arrived at City, so the move for the Palermo man is somewhat out of the blue.
Reports from Italy suggest that Hernandez is getting to the stage of his career where he needs to start to realise his huge potential. Make no mistake, this is a gamble on Bruce's part. Hopefully it is one that will pay off.
Whatever anyone says about Tom Cleverley, I think the Manchester United man would be an excellent signing. At 25, City would be getting an experienced Premier League midfielder in his prime.
Cleverley has been a scapegoat for United's demise and while he's probably not quite at the level required for a team that just a few years ago was reaching Champions League finals, his quality would surely enhance City's midfield.
City have also been linked with Momo Diame and although it sounds as if West Ham have turned down a bid, I can only hope Bruce can engineer a move. The Senegalese international is a real bruiser of a player who, on his day, is capable of single-handedly controlling a game. That whistle-happy ref
To say that referee Ovidiu Alin Hategan was whistle-happy would be an understatement. It would be an exaggeration to say that the Romanian official ruined the game, but some of his decisions were utterly perplexing.
Because of Hategan and his all too hasty style of officiating, the game was never able to flow and became frustratingly stop-start. He never had a grip of the game and both sides were left feeling aggrieved with his display.
Of course, you would expect a European referee to be a little less tolerant than a Premier League official, but he was especially quick to lay down the law.
After being on the end of a spectacularly harsh penalty decision at QPR on the opening weekend, City were given what looked to be a debatable spot kick of their own last night. They do say these things even themselves out.
The decision to send Yannick Sagbo off was questionable. There looked to be no real malice from the City man and he seemed shocked to see Hategan brandish the red card. Caravan of Love
Prior to last night's match, the club played 'Caravan of Love' by the Housemartins over the speaker system, due to popular demand from City fans. It didn't quite get the reception I'd anticipated, partly because City fans were already mid-chant when the track came on.
It would be great if 'Caravan of Love' could become City's unofficial anthem. 'Can't Help Falling In Love With You', as great as it sounds when sung loud and proud, isn't unique to City.
'Caravan of Love' is very much a Hull song and sounds fantastic when the fans are in full voice, as anyone who was on the Hull-Zeebrugge ferry last Wednesday will testify:
Last night's trial didn't quite come off, but I hope City give it another go.
