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Mike White, BBC Radio Humberside<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
What do Hull need?<\/b><\/p>\n
They only need minor tweaks\/additions to the squad if they can keep most of their key players fit, but as the first few months have shown, that’s a big ‘if’.<\/p>\n
They will have to move players on to do that though and winger David Akintola is high on that list having struggled to make his mark in the Championship.<\/p>\n
There is also some thought Cody Drameh could leave as he seeks more game time than he is currently getting.<\/p>\n
What have previous January windows taught us?<\/b><\/p>\n
Two seasons ago they had a good go at trying to secure a play-off place (they finished seventh) bringing in the likes of Fabio Carvalho (who was going to be a target this time too before his ACL injury), while last January during a nervy relegation battle, it was Matt Crooks, John Egan, Kyle Joseph and the currently injured Eliot Matazo (ACL) who all made a mark in one way or another.<\/p>\n
They are currently still under the second of their two-window transfer sanctions issued by the EFL, so can only get free agents or loans without a fee, and it’s ‘one in, one out’. But their summer activity showed they had the ability to still recruit strongly, so confidence should be high again.<\/p>\n
Is there any concern over specific players leaving?<\/b><\/p>\n
The biggest concern will be surrounding highly-rated defender Charlie Hughes, although the hope will be they can at least keep him around until the summer.<\/p>\n
He is still only 22 but, with more than 120 senior career games under his belt already, is an established and experienced player with Premier League ambitions and no doubt Premier League admirers.<\/p>\n
The owner himself has said he would not stand in his way if a top-flight club comes in but hopes Hughes would give the Tigers this full season before looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n
For the right money though, they could be swayed. Of course, were City to get promoted that could see both sides find common ground but that’s still a long way off as it stands.<\/p>\n
How important is this window for Hull?<\/b><\/p>\n
It is important in the sense that they have already had a half season of injuries to some key players, so everyone will be cautious about that and not wanting to find themselves shorthanded.<\/p>\n
However, the squad needs tweaks, not an overhaul, as they are in a solid position and have performed well for the most part barring the odd ugly loss or ‘game of two halves’ efforts.<\/p>\n
With Oli McBurnie, Liam Millar, Mo Belloumi plus Joseph finding some goalscoring form, and Joe Gelhardt set to return from a calf injury in mid to late January, they are certainly in the conversation to be a genuine contender when May rolls around.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n