These are exciting times for anyone connected to Hull City. On the opening day of the season the team will walk out at the KC Stadium to play Fulham at the highest level of English football for the first time in their history. The pundits expect them to struggle but Manager Phil Brown is optimistic that the team is more capable them people give them credit.

Understandably, Hull have found it difficult to attract top players to the club. Although they will be playing in the Premier League, no one wants to lose game after game as everyone connected with Derby County will testify. However, Brown has managed to bring some quality players to the club during the pre-season. His biggest signing to date is the Brazilian forward Giovanni. He arrives from Manchester City on a free transfer and although clearly a talented individual it remains to be seen whether he has the ability to grind performances out as Hull will surely need this year.

Brown has also brought in ex-Fulham goalkeeper Tony Warner and Middlesboro’s defensive midfielder George Boateng. In an attempt to sure up the defence, Spurs centre back Anthony Gardner has also joined on a six month loan with a view to a permanent transfer.

Brown has tried to bring in proven players who have the experience of playing in the Premier League. He has also added French full back Bernard Mendy from Paris Saint Germain and Craig Fagan has made his loan spell from Derby permanent after helping the club win promotion last year.

There has been a lot of talk about other possible arrivals and Brown has stated his desire to bring more players in. One possible transfer is the return of Manchester United’s exciting forward Fraser Campbell. Brown is hopeful of securing the youngster on a season loan.

During the summer there have also been a number of departures. Henrik Pedersen, who had previous had a successful time in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers left to rejoin his first club Silkeborg IF. Nigerian Jay Jay Okocha, another former Bolton player, was released and has since retired from the game.

As already mentioned, there are not many people outside of Hull who expect much from them this season. Although they have the better fixtures at the start of the season out of all the newly promoted teams there does not appear to be the quality or the experience within the squad to be able to accumulate enough points over the course of the season to stay in the Premiership. For many fans it is a minor miracle that they can support their team in the top flight and if they were to survive it would be viewed as an even bigger one.