2016-08-22

Despite famously beginning the 2016/17 Premier League campaign with only thirteen fit senior players available and no permanent manager for the determined Tigers faithful to call their own right in the here and now – Hull City’s impressively efficient start to the new season has certainly taken many fans of the English top-flight by total surprise.

Last year’s unlikely champions – in the form of Claudio Ranieri’s triumphant Leicester City – simply didn’t have enough about them to stop a bold effort from the Tigers, led by former Manchester United assistant-coach Mike Phelan, on the opening day of the season. Swansea City also subsequently fell short against the recently promoted outfit last time out in the league, prompting many football fans to ponder what comes next for this admittedly buoyant Hull City side.

Can the Tigers really go all the way and begin to emulate last season’s achievements of Leicester City near the upper echelons of the league table, or will Hull City ultimately succumb to their obvious vulnerability once the initial adrenaline-rush of Premier League football eventually dies down?

Hull City 2 wins from 2 games. They will either go on to get relegated or win the league

— Osman (@OsmanZtheGooner) 20 August 2016

Although most sensible Premier League watchers seemingly find themselves rather indifferent towards Hull’s promising start to the new campaign…

Hull City still look like Hull City

— OJ for Only Juice (@OJ_SEYI) 13 August 2016

…a small minority of fans nonetheless seem to expect big things from Mike Phelan’s current outfit between now and the end of the season…

Hull City want to do a Leicester City this season. #PL

— Sportive23 (@Sportive_23) 20 August 2016

…and after the once completely unimaginable feats of Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes last term…

Hull City gonna do Leicester and win the league. Said it last week.

— Assist Wizard (@ArsenalsCannon) 20 August 2016

…who’s to say that Hull City don’t have enough about them to at least impress throughout the remainder of the 2016/17 campaign?

Expecting a top 10 finish from Hull city this season tbf… Good coach, solid defence and a fit Hernandez.

— Kingston (@kstun) 22 August 2016

Abel Hernandez has applied himself quite effectively so far this term it must be said, as have several other crucial first-team members of the current Tigers squad…

Abel Hernandez and Robert Snodgrass are this season's Vardy & Mahrez. Can't wait for them to both reject moves to Arsenal in a year's time.

— Dream Team (@dreamteamfc) 20 August 2016

…so even though relegation could still admittedly loom heavily for Hull City in the not too distant future…

Hull City have done well but they're still going down

— Alhaji One™ (@AbeikuLytle) 13 August 2016

…now is as good a time as any to start building upon a newfound sense of hope down at the KCOM Stadium!

Even if we do end up getting relegated,I've never been so proud of being a #Hcafc fan!City till i die lads! #UTT

— Hull_City_News (@Toms_Hull_F) 20 August 2016

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Harry Burford

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