Of the eleven players that started Hull City's final game of last season, seven have either already left the club or are very close to doing so. Liam Rosenior, the man who stood in the dugout on the day has been relieved of his duties and the feel good factor that made thousands fall back in love with the Tigers has slowly disappeared.
But as fast as things can fall apart, they can be fixed and in new manager Tim Walter Hull City now have a head coach more ideologically in tune with owner Acun Ilicali's dream of fast flowing attacking football.
Unfortunately for the incoming German, the 'war chest' that Ilicali promised for his new manager back in May is now looking more like change between sofa cushions as the Tigers attempt to replace outgoing stars whilst grappling with concerns over FFP sanctions.
Whilst the bare bones squad that Walter now possesses is no doubt a cause for concern, it is also an opportunity for some of the Tigers' forgotten talents to get a second chance to etch their names into Hull City folklore.
Sean McLoughlin
After starting just 13 games last season, it is easy to forget that Sean McLoughlin was once indispensable to Hull City. The Irishman missed just 1 of the final 25 games of the 2022/23 season, twice picking up Hull's player of the month award for his efforts.
In contrast, the 27-year-old spent much of the last campaign deputising for the Tigers' preferred pairing of Jacob Greaves and Alfie Jones. With the former recently making an £18million move to Ipswich Town, the door could be open for McLoughlin to reclaim his spot as Hull's starting centre back.
Since joining from Cork City in 2019 McLoughlin has more than proven his worth to the Tigers. Whether he was being asked to play out the back by Rosenior or defend for his life under Grant McCann, the Irishman has always shown himself to be a more than capable defender at Championship level.
Despite recent rumours linking McLoughlin with a move to Blackburn Rovers, the 27-year-old still has two years left on his deal at Hull City and if given the chance to do so could once again become a vital part of the Tigers' side.
Ryan Longman
Whilst his departure felt almost a foregone conclusion at the start of summer, it appears that Ryan Longman is here to stay whether you like it or not. Despite his less than stellar time in black and amber, it could be under the tenure of Walter that the winger finally wins over the Tigers’ faithful.
The 23-year-old returns to East Yorkshire this summer in arguably the best shape of his career. A loan spell with Millwall gave Longman the opportunity for consistent first team football, making 36 appearances for the Lions. Whilst the winger only contributed 3 goals and 3 assists during this time, Millwall boss Neil Harris made sure to give Longman his flowers when he left telling the press:
“Longy was brilliant for me, he showed some excellent attributes to be a really, really positive attacking influence as a Millwall winger."
In truth Longman's return may actually be the secret to unlocking the talents of another struggling City star in the form of Ryan Giles.
Over the course of last season, Giles often felt a spare part on the same wing as the dominating presence of Jaden Philogene. Rarely able to receive the ball on the overlap, the left back's attacking talents were sparingly showcased.
If Longman is to play a greater role in Walter's side he would be the perfect compliment to Giles' style of play. As a winger that has also played through the middle, Longman would be able to drift centrally more often, allowing Giles the freedom of the flank to put crosses into the box.
Xavier Simons
Whilst the previously mentioned players have both enjoyed prior stints in the Tigers' first team, Xavier Simons is a player who will return to East Yorkshire this summer as something of an unknown entity.
The midfielder first joined Hull City in a loan move from Chelsea in September 2022 that became permanent the following year. During his time at the MKM Stadium Simons has only managed to make 16 appearances for the first team and was eventually shipped out on loan to Fleetwood Town for the latter half of the 2023/24 season.
Whilst the 21-year-old struggled with injury during his spell with the League One outfit, it could be departures in the Tigers' midfield that acts as Simons' gateway into the first team.
The conclusion of Tyler Morton's loan spell and Ozan Tufan's return to Turkey will leave two vacancies in the middle of the park going into next season. Whilst Regan Slater will no doubt occupy one of these spaces alongside Jean Mikel Seri, there is still a final spot in Walter's preferred 4-3-3 up for grabs.
With Simons getting 45 minutes under his belt during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Kasımpaşa, there is every chance that he could impress during pre season and earn himself more consistent game time in City's first team.
Whilst there will no doubt be further transfer movements before the window slams shut next month, the end of some player's Hull City careers could provide a second chance for others.
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