We kicked it off with signing Craig Fagan from Derby, who of couse played in the tiger stripes from 2005 to 2007, and was on loan with us last season. I always enjoyed watching Craig, plenty of pace, and he certainly can get his fair share of goals when put in the right positions. His pace should be an asset out on the wing for us in the premiership.

Next up was Geovanni, the Brazilian from Man City. He scored seven goals for Barca while there, and also had a gem vs United last season. Hope he still has some of those up his sleeve, but I am feeling very good about Geo roaming behind the two strikers this season.

George Boateng, the ex Boro midfield workhorse is also set to sign on Monday. Tremendous addittion, will bring nothing but leadership, experience and class to the center of the park. He has seen it all before, and when he’s on his game he can be an absolute destroyer in the middle, while calmly leading the side out of the back. Should bring a level head to side playing in their first ever top flight match on 16 August.

Bernard Mendy, the ex-PSG and Bolton fullback is also signed up. Again, good experience, no complaints here about this signing.

So far so good in my opinion, especially considering fellow newbies Stoke City have signed no one, and West Brom haven’t made any massive signings to date.

Soooo…Nothing to do with Hull but your loyal Tigers blogger (me) is heading to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain this weekend. Hopefully I can make the half mile and into the ring without getting gored, trampled etc.

So have any other Offsiders (readers, writers, friends, enemies) participated in this mayhem before? Any tips are welcome.

In Hull related news the new home kit was released, which is below. Not too bad. We will certainly be the most striking team coming out of the tunnell, Petr Cech and his flouresence be damned. Well done Umbro I like it.

So just some quick updates as the off-season progresses.

1. Jay-Jay Good-Bye

As most well now know, Jay-Jay Okocha, our absurdly talented Nigerian midfielder, has left the KC. I’m sure most Tigers supporters would agree with me when I say its a true shame he was only able to play 11 matches before his departure. An absolute legend.

2. New Kits

New home kit from Umbro isn’t set to launch until the 4th of July, while the new away kit is here. The hints dropped so far seem to be that the home kit will be a return to the black and orange stripes, most recently used in the Diadora kit from the 06/07 season. I trust Umbro to produce a sharp kit, although the away one is kind of ‘meh’. Looking forward to it anyway.

3. Transfer Targets

A number of names have been linked to the KC as of late, most recently Abdi Meite (Bolton) and Seyi Olofinjana (Wolves) (not as hard to pronounce as it looks). I wouldn’t mind either to be honest, haven’t seen too much of the latter, but Meite seemed a strong player while at Bolton. And somewhat comically, as we all know Phil Brown is a classy dude, he has taken a page from the Alex Ferguson/Harry Redknapp/Roy Keane school of transfer targeting, saying “Olofinjana could play in the Premier League and I would be interested…..But there’s been no contact and to say any more would be disrespectful as I’ve not talked to Mick McCarthy.” Right. At least it seems like he’s learning how to play with (like) the big boys of the EPL. Other current targets: Peter Halmosi, Bernie Mendy, and Stelios Gian…yeah the Greek/Bolton lad.

4. Preseason Friendlies

Now no disrespect to anyone I am about to mention, but Hull’s preseason schedule is currently highlighted by matches against KV Oostende and North Ferriby United. Hands up if you ever heard of either? One? Oh you just were fixing your hat? So none? Seriously Phil. I know NFU is somewhat of a tradition so fine, but if we are legging it to Belgium can we at least get Club Brugge or Anderlecht or someone?!? Not second division KV Oostende!?! (Will wear new shoes the day of that match in case they beat us, which will result in foot-in-mouth)

Back later for some additional updates.

COYH!!!!!!!!

What better way to go up then through a screamer from Deano, brilliantly setup by Frazier Campbell. No question that the doubters will soon start dismissing our EPL stay as temporary, but who cares, we’re going up, and we’re going to enjoy it.

Great day, great result, great upcoming season for a team and city that deserves it. Back later for more.

COYH

Now on to the Final. Bristol City holds the season advantage, having drawn 0-0 and beaten us 2-1, but I fancy our chances. Bristol play some fantastic football, as they have evidenced in their semi-final win over Palace, but I don’t think one can argue they are the more premiership ready side.

With wily vets Nick Barmby, Dean Windass (and Jay-Jay Okocha when he’s healthy) leading young ‘uns Frazier Campbell and middle age (football speaking) Richard Garcia and Caleb Folan, Hull seems to have the right mix to have a go in the EPL.

In any case it should be a wildly entertaining match, with two of the championships better footballing sides looking to the 60 million pound promised land. COYH.

Simple. Win over Ipswich. Stoke Loss to Leicester. Automatic promotion. I didn’t think I would ever be saying ‘At least the playoffs would be consolation…’.

It’s hard not to let hopes get too high, but as one lad on the BBC said last night, if you’d have offered me a chance at automatic promotion on the last day of the year, with playoffs guaranteed, I’d have snapped yer hand off.

Realistically, Ipswich are a good side, while Leicester are not, so the playoffs are more than likley, but as I said, I’ll certainly take it.

From the first days at Italian training camp, to coming out of the tunnel at Portman Road in a few hours, what a season it has been. Stay tuned.

COMMMMEEEEE ONNNNNNN YOUUUUUU HUULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Hull City destroyed high flying Barnsley at the KC on monday night, thanks to two early goals from Man U loanee Frazier Campbell. But before we get to match reaction, I would like to relay to the few of you who may have missed it, this classic exchange between the BBC Barnsley radio presenters:

(Ball is played out of bounds, linesman seems to get the call wrong)

Presenter 1: “It’s like the Stade de France all over again.” (In reference to England’s missed try in the RWC final)

Presenter 2: “I must admit, I haven’t seen the video, only the still shots in the paper…”

Presenter 1: “Well that’s better than the French could do, it was clearly a try…”

Presenter 2: “No comment here….”

Presenter 1: “Well it’s the French, all they do is eat frog legs and smell.”

(Awkward silence as the Hull fans sing in the background)

Legendary.

Back to the match, I won’t bore you with too much play by play, Frazier Campbell scored two in the first few minutes and the match was effectively over. A crisp breakaway finish, and then he showed incredible strength and footwork to bamboozle three Tykes defenders before slotting home for the second. Dean Marney finished smartly under Heinz Muller in the second half to finish it off, and the Tykes never looked up for the battle, heading home with a heavy 3-0 defeat.

Odd too, as they have certainly enjoyed the better run so far, coming into Monday’s match only out of the playoff places by goal differential.

Man of the Match: Dean Windass. Although Campbell obviously was lights out and gave the Tigers the win in the first 20 minutes, Deano wins this award hands down. Not only did he play very well, he actually wrote a book. Now when I first saw this I wasn’t sure whether to be horrified or amazed, but the latter has won out, hence his Man of Match honors. So I’m not positive whether it is actually in English or not, but I’ll have a read and post my review in a few weeks.

Match Highlights

Charlton vs. Hull City

The Addicks took down Hull on Champions League evening, 2-1 at the KC. A goalmouth scramble resulting in Luke Varney’s poked opener and Chris Iwelumo’s late second proved too much of a mountain to climb for the Tigers as they bowed out at home to their London opponents.

Before we get to the fisticuffs that punctuated the first half, and resulted in the expulsion of Ian Ashbee and Lloyd Sam, first on Iwelumo. What a player he may turn out to be. He has absolutely dominated the Tigers in years past, when playing for tiny Colchester, including one particularly devastating encounter last season when he scored 4 at Layer Road.

Perhaps Phil Brown should take a closer look at Hull’s torturer in chief Mr. Iwelumo rather than all this nonsense about attracting Christian Vieri. Milan to Hull? He won’t even notice the difference. Promise.

Fight (Sort Of)

And now to the fun stuff. After Ashbee’s lunging tackle on Sam, which wasn’t that bad, the following occurred.

Now I was a bit disappointed with Charlton’s Sam, if your going to react to a tackle you deem as dangerous, don’t then let yourself then get put in a headlock by the person who tackled you to begin with. Truly poor effort on Sam’s part.

Also a bit unfortunate that Dean Windass wasn’t allowed to have a go at someone. I would imagine that his head would break many a fist before any damage was done to himself.

Nickname Battle: Addick vs. Tiger

I have no idea what an Addick is, but a Tiger would most certainly eat one. Or at least have more stripes than it.

Winner: Tiger. Please.

Author’s Note: I’ll be at the match this Saturday, when Hull travels down to London to take on Palace, hopefully some good video and pictures to follow.

Henrik Pedersen exploded for two goals in his home Championship debut to lead Hull to victory at the KC over visiting Ipswich town. Nice to see the Dane finally get on track, his goal scoring prowess was certainly never in doubt, one just wondered if his age was catching up to him in his first season with the Tigers.

Jay Jay Okocha played a tremendous game, setting up Pedersen’s first, and torturing a generally dominant Ispwich side for much of the contest. While the result was a bit generous for the Tigers, it was certainly a great way to bounce back from the mid week league cup defeat against Chelski.

Nickname Battle: Tractor Boy vs. Tiger

I’m not even sure what a Tractor Boy is. No doubt harkening back to their rural Suffolk roots, this is certainly one of the weaker showings from a Championship side.

Winner: Tiger. No doubt about it. They could show up with 10 tractors, still not a chance.

Carling Cup: Chelsea FC at Hull City AFC

As Hull City takes to the pitch at the KC Stadium tonight, they will face a side in turmoil. The shock exit of their ‘Special’ manager, injuries to various key first team players, and a weekend loss to title rivals Man U have left Russian Oil FC in a sorry state.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, their opponents still have the Chelsea badge on their shirt. And that means they still have some tremendous talent and ability to throw at Hull. Still, when the two sides take to the pitch, I feel like we could not have met them at a better time.

5 Reasons why the Tigers will spring the upset-

1. Fat Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Jon Obi Mikel, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge are all missing. Phew. I don’t care who else they have, when that group is NOT in the team sheet, that’s good news.

2. Avram Grant is the new manager, and his side looked out of ideas on the weekend vs Man Yoo. What has this guy done since Yakubu blasted Maccabi past Champions League opponents six million years ago? All I can recall is pictures of him at Pompey looking like someone just kicked his dog.

3. Henrik Pedersen may make his first start for the Tigers. If the wily Dane can get some service he could have a big impact, he knows Tal Ben Haim very well from their days together at the Reebok Stadium and could cause him problems.

4. Chelsea probably won’t be used to playing in front of a full stadium, after their recent Champions League endeavors, and the KC will certainly be rocking.

5. Number 44. Jay. Jay. Okocha.

Watch this space for post match report and reaction.