The Premier League Game of Thrones
By Ryan Wrenn
Steve Bruce – Hull City
Projected Finish: 16th
How’d he do?
Bruce’s unexpectedly good performance last season spurred ownership to invest heavily in players over the summer. The net outlay of £25 million seems mostly to have gone to waste however. What success Bruce has had at Hull was built on a tactical solidity mostly lost when he felt obliged to field players unused to such a system, particularly Hatem Ben Arfa. Having lost the rhythm early, he was never able to regain it.
Season Highlight: One gets the impression that any highlights from this season will be in the concluding four games of the season. He needs results to ensure survival.
Season Lowlight: Falling out of their inaugural Europa League campaign in the qualifying rounds due to away goals against Belgian side Lokeren.
Future?
Possibly Out. Like many other managers facing the possibility of the drop, Bruce’s position at Hull seems tenuous. His resume ensures that he’ll land on his feet somewhere, though it’s unsure if he’ll remain in the Premier League. Links with Fulham and Newcastle have been denied, but no doubt Bruce will be relying on such possibilities if Hull cannot hold on.