Hull City v Blackpool: Tigers happy to slip under the radar and surprise Championship – Hobbs

The Tigers have barely been mentioned outside the East Riding this summer when discussion has turned to the forthcoming battle for a place in the Premier League.

West Ham United and Hobbs’s former club Leicester City have, instead, been the talk of the Football League after investing heavily during the close season.

Nottingham Forest are another side tipped widely to mount a challenge along with Birmingham City and Cardiff City, while all manner of sides from Leeds United and Ipswich Town through to Blackpool, Burnley, Middlesbrough and even Millwall have also been backed to do well by pundits and punters alike.

One name, however, that has not featured heavily in any list of sides tipped to be involved in the promotion mix is Hull City.

Tigers fans could be forgiven for feeling insulted by the snub, especially as from November onwards last term Nigel Pearson’s men were among the second tier’s form teams. For Hobbs, though, this apparent slur has come as music to his ears.

“We do seem to be a bit under the radar,” admits the 22-year-old ahead of tonight’s visit of Blackpool to the KC Stadium.

“But that suits us all. We are trying to quietly go about our business and do what we need to do.

“There will be a lot of other teams being watched and hyped up in the media. A few have thrown their money around but I am not really concerned about them.

“All I am focused on is us. Teams can spend all the money they want but it will come down to what happens on the pitch.”

As for the promotion race, Hobbs adds: “I guess West Ham will be up there among the favourites after going down last time.

“My former club Leicester have also spent a lot of money so they have to be the same.

“But all I am concerned with is what we can do and how we do it.

“We have made some good additions this summer, even though we have not spent silly money.

“As long as we do our jobs and, hopefully, get some early wins to get the ball rolling, then we can do well.

“In that respect, staying under the radar could be quite helpful.”

Hobbs joined Hull in an £850,000 deal from Leicester last month after impressing on loan at the KC Stadium last season.

Leaving behind the Sven Goran Eriksson revolution, which this summer has seen £10m splashed on new players and another £2m spent on bringing Real Madrid to the newly-christened King Power Stadium for a friendly, may, to some, be seen as a strange career choice.

For Hobbs, though, it was the easiest decision in the world.

“I really enjoyed my time here last season,” says the former Liverpool trainee. “It is a great club and great supporters.

“I had also worked with the management before (when Nigel Pearson was in charge of Leicester) and they know how to get the best out of me.

“The kind of people they bring to the club are those who are hungry and want to do well.

“It is great to be part of an atmosphere like that. For me, it was an easy decision and I am glad it is done now.”

Hull, who will be without the injured Aaron Mclean against Blackpool tonight as the Football League campaign gets underway, have added six new faces this summer in an attempt to improve on last term’s 11th place finish.

Experienced duo Dele Adebola and Paul McKenna from Nottingham Forest lead the list of new arrivals, which also features Corry Evans, Joe Dudgeon, Peter Gulacsi and Hobbs.

Pearson’s recruitment means the Tigers’ squad boasts an intriguing mix of youth and experience, something that Hobbs believes will be a major plus along with the attitude that the Hull manager has instilled in his players.

Hobbs says: “We have the characters who will dig in and help each other through. There are no real egos in the squad at the minute. That bodes well for us in the season.

“We have got quite a young squad but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I just think we have a lot of good players who have the right character and are hungry to do well for Hull City.”

Asked if the squad could be considered a tad too inexperienced, Hobbs adds: “I think it can work both ways. A lot of people say I look quite young but I would like to think I have quite a bit of experience.

“People also say younger players have got no fear and I think we have got a good blend. Dawson, Adebola and McKenna are people who have been around the League for a lot of years.

“Hopefully, our good blend of youth and experience will stand us in good stead for the season.”

While the main talking point of Blackpool’s summer has been the departure of captain Charlie Adam to Liverpool, manager Ian Holloway has been quietly going about his transfer business.

The signings of veteran duo, striker Kevin Phillips and midfielder Barry Ferguson, may prove to be shrewd, with Ferguson set to lead the side.

The 33-year-old has swapped one relegated club for another after leaving Birmingham, and the Seasiders are expecting big things from him ahead of the kick-off.

Assistant manager Steve Thompson commented: “Barry’s career stands up with anything we’ve got at Blackpool at the moment.

“He commands respect because of what he has done in his career and he has very high standards. Hopefully, everyone here can live up to those standards.

“He is a good leader on and off the pitch and that will be important to us.”

Last six games: Hull City DWLDDL, Blackpool LDDDWL.

Last time: Hull City 2 Blackpool 2; February 9, 2008; Championship.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).