2008/09 Preview: The Midfielders

Ian Ashbee

History

'Ash' was a product of the youth system at Derby County but unfortunately, he never made it as far as the first team, joining Cambridge United after his release from the Rams. He spent 6 years with Cambridge, helping them win promotion to Division 2 but the club where relegated during Ashbee's final season at The Abbey. Then 26 years old, Ash chose to continue his career at Boothferry Park, with ambitious Hull City, managed by Jan Molby. He made his debut in August 2002 and was sent off during a 2-2 draw with Southend. Molby made Ashbee captain, a job he would continue for 6 seasons. A season of under achievement saw Molby replaced by Peter Taylor. In 2003/04, Taylor's first full season at the helm, Ashbee skippered the Tigers to promotion, scoring a memorable, and marvellous, winning goal at Yeovil to secure the prize. The following season, the team went up again. Ash would miss most of following season through injury, returning to action in September 2006, with the Tigers now being managed by Phil Parkinson. During a season in which the club flirted with relegation, Phil Brown became Ash's 4^th gaffer at Hull, and the 4^th to hand him the captain's armband. 2007/08 was a much better season for the club, culminating in promotion to the Premiership, a feat that should see Ashbee go down in history as being the first man to ever skipper a side in all four divisions of the English league.

Strengths

Ashbee is a born leader. He'll organise, cajole, scream, shout and encourage. He sets an example with his attitude and work rate. He's a good athlete and is physically strong. He wins the ball and uses it simply. Under Phil Brown, he's made much better use of his aerial prowess, at both ends.

Weaknesses

Ash makes simple use of the ball, but has a limited range of passing. He doesn't have a great deal of vision or a lot of skill on the ball.

Premier Quality?

Debateable. "Ian Ashbee isn't good enough to make he step up" is a phrase that has been uttered each time he has led Hull City to promotion. This really may a step to far though. The opponents will be quicker, stronger and smarter. Possession of the ball will be precious and good decision making is crucial. Ash will get a fair shot at it, he's earned it, but he'll need to improve a lot to hold his own. Only a fool would write him off.

Future?

He still looks fit and mobile and capable of playing on for a good few seasons. His legendary status in East Yorkshire is already assured. Keeping Hull City in the top flight will be his biggest achievement yet.

George Boateng

History

Boateng arrived in England with Coventry City in 1998 after spells with Excelsior and Feyenoord of Rotterdam in Holland. The dynamic midfielder shone in the Premiership and earned a £4.5m move to Aston Villa where he enjoyed 3 good years. He was signed by Middlesbrough manager Steve McLaren in 2002 for £5m and established himself as captain of 'Boro, and played a part in winning their first ever major Trophy, the League Cup, at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in 2004. He moved on to the newly promoted Tigers in July 2008 for a fee of around a million pounds.

Strengths

Boateng is a superb athlete, powerfully built and quick across the ground. He has bags of top flight experience and a strong mentality. He uses the ball well and has a good passing range.

Weaknesses

While still in good condition, Boateng is not quite as fast, strong and fit as he once was.

Premier Quality?

Yes. He's no longer the box to box midfielder who gets his fair share of goals, preferring to sit deeper and break up play. He's still able to play at the top level but doesn't run games anymore. Alongside Ashbee, he should ensure the Tigers are difficult to play through.

Future?

On paper, it looks a short term arrangement but there are others around the Tigers' camp who prove that age is no barrier.

Richard Garcia

History

Garcia has a good pedigree, being a part of the West Ham youth system with Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. Initially a striker, the Aussie left West Ham for Colchester in 2004, where he was converted to a right sided midfielder. As a team mate of Wayne Brown, Garcia helped Colchester win promotion to the Championship and starred as they finished a remarkable 8^th in their first season. Phil Brown brought him to Hull in the summer of 2007 and he enjoyed a terrific first season with the Tigers, scoring 6 goals, including the clubs "Goal of the season" at home to Burnley.

Strengths

Another member of the City squad who is a great physical specimen. Garcia is strong and athletic, he's a powerful runner, who covers distances quickly and has a great fitness level. He's got a terrific right foot and a knack for getting into good areas. He's selfless and will work to cover other players.

Weaknesses

While quick over distance, Garcia doesn't have great acceleration. He's not a tricky winger, he relies on running off the ball rather than skill to beat his opponent. His delivery from wide is hit and miss.

Premier Quality?

He has a good chance. Physically, he'll compete and he's shown enough improvement over the last three seasons to suggest he's able to learn and improve. He needs to find even more quality on the ball and better delivery, but he'll cause opponents problems with his strength and his movement.

Future?

Garcia should be a member of the City squad for a long time to come. He's settled, he's popular and he's got time on his side. City should cope defensively with the top level but making and taking chances could prove difficult. Garcia's ability to break away and create chances will be vital.

Bryan Hughes

History

Hughes is a native Scouser who broke into League football with Wrexham, impressing during their thrilling FA Cup run in 1997. Soon after, Birmingham paid £800,000 to take him to St. Andrews. He made nearly 300 appearances for the Blues and played at the Millennium Stadium twice, in the League Cup final loss to Liverpool and the Play-off final success over Norwich City. He moved onto Charlton Athletic, spending two seasons in the top flight before dropping down a level to join the Tigers in July 2007. He spent most of last season in an unfamiliar position on the left of midfield, before moving inside to replace Dean Marney in the promotion run-in. He scored his first goal for the club against Southampton in a 5-0 demolition and enjoyed a second victorious play-off campaign to earn another crack at the top league.

Strengths

Hughes is an experienced midfielder, always willing to accept the ball and generally making short, tidy passes that keep moves going. He's comfortable on the ball, has a great first touch and lovely movement with the ball at his feet. He has experience as a defensive midfielder and is a good reader of the opposition. Showed great attitude to play on the left of midfield and adapted to it reasonably quickly. He's willing to take a hit for the good of the team.

Weaknesses

Hughes used to be a regular goal scorer from midfield, but hasn't shown those predatory instincts during his time at City. Hughes also lacks a bit of vision, he's a good passer of the ball but not an incisive passer.

Premier Quality?

He should be. He's been there and seen it and done it. He has the quality and composure on the ball and still has a good level of fitness.

Future?

It's hard to see where he might fit in this season. Ashbee and Boateng look like the preferred option in the centre of midfield, while Halmosi has been brought in to hopefully slot in on the left hand side. That will leave Marney and Hughes fighting to get in. If he gets a chance, he'll have to grab it with both hands.

Peter Halmosi

History

A Hungarian international, Halmosi was brought to England by Ian Holloway, then Plymouth Argyle manager, who paid £400,00 for him after a successful loan spell. Halmosi previously played for two clubs in Hungary, sandwiching an unsuccessful spell in Austria with AK Graz. He enjoyed his season and a half with Plymouth before joining City for a club record fee in the region of £2 million in July 2008.

Strengths

Halmosi has a superb left foot and is a free-kick specialist. He's a regular goalscorer from midfield, particularly against Hull City. He's another good athlete, has quick feet and is technically, very strong.

Weaknesses

Like Garcia, he doesn't posses great acceleration and isn't the sort of wide player who takes on his opponent. Unlike Garcia, he's perhaps not the sort of wide player who'll work back to help his full-back out.

Premier Quality?

He has all the tools, which is why Phil Brown paid so much money for him. He's been linked with big clubs in the past, such as Blackburn Rovers and Glasgow Celtic. The only obstacle might be settling in Hull because on the pitch, he has every chance of success.

Future?

Halmosi could be vital if City are to stay up. Set pieces will be vital, especially with the aerial threat of Gardner and Turner, and Halmosi will be charged with delivering the ball.

Dean Marney

History

Marney came through the youth system at Tottenham and famously scored two wonderful goals on his first team debut against Everton. He never really progressed after that and spent time out on loan, notably at Norwich City before Phil Parkinson paid an initial £500,000 to bring him to Hull in June 2006. He never really settled during that first season as the team struggled under Parkinson. Last season, with Phil Brown at the helm, he found a higher level of consistency and was often Ian Ashbee's partner in the midfield. Injury kept him out of the Play-off's but he recovered to make an appearance as a substitute at Wembley, deservedly.

Strengths

His game is built around his fantastic engine; he's one of the fittest players at the club. He's quick and skilful and difficult to stop at pace. Uses the ball well and provides good set piece delivery. His tackling is occasionally amazing but often clumsy.

Weaknesses

He struggles to find consistency, sometimes between one half of a game and the other. He should command games; he's certainly got the ability, but rarely does. Like Hughes, he doesn't really have an incisive pass in him. His shooting is erratic.

Premier Quality?

Possibly not. Again, he's got a lot of ability, but having struggled to make an impact in some games at Championship level, it's hard to imagine he'll do so at the top level. He is constantly maturing as a player and works hard to improve so it's not beyond him, especially with experienced players like Boateng and Geovanni to work with.

Future?

The other 'Deano' should be around Hull for quite a while, yet. He's finally settled and found some form on the pitch. He'll be hoping to make his mark at the top level after failing to make the grade at Spurs.

Ryan France

History

A late starter in the pro game after choosing to complete his University education. France joined the Tigers from Alfreton Town for £15,000 in September 2003, a superb signing by Peter Taylor. He enjoyed a dream debut, scoring the 6^th goal in a 6-1 demolition of Kidderminster Harriers at the KC. He played his fair share of games for the Tigers as the club moved up through the leagues, but initially struggled to displace Jason Price in the team and then struggled to make a place his own. His versatility led to him playing several roles, most notably, at right back, where he struggled initially, but eventually became quite accomplished. He was enjoying a good run at full back when he suffered a bad injury in January 2007 and when he returned to fitness, found Richard Garcia and Sam Ricketts to be immovable from the first team. He could join Dawson, Myhill and Ashbee in playing for City in all four divisions.

Strengths

France has good pace and a high level of fitness. He carries the ball well and is versatile. He's a strong tackler and looked promising as a right back before his injury.

Weaknesses

He isn't particularly skilful; he's not a winger who'll take anyone one. Doesn't always deliver the ball well enough and lacks a bit of strength.

Premier Quality?

Unfortunately not. France might be kept around, because he's a great character and is versatile, but he isn't going to establish himself in a top flight team.

Future?

I'd be surprised if he doesn't move on, either on loan or permanently. Phil Brown might keep him around until January, to see how the squad copes in terms on numbers. There isn't a great deal of strength in depth at Full back either.

John Welsh

History

Welsh came through the youth set-up with Liverpool, his home town club. He was highly rated and won England Under-21 honours, primarily under his future club manager, Peter Taylor. Taylor brought him to Hull on loan in 2006 and the move became permanent when Paul Anderson moved to Liverpool in exchange. Welsh enjoyed his first few months with the Tigers but struggled to make an impression on Phil Parkinson and then, after working his way back into the team under new manager, Phil Brown, broke his leg against Preston North End in March 2007. He's never really looked the same player since.

Strengths

At his best, Welsh is a tenacious, mobile footballer. He's good on the ball, a neat passer and able to cover a lot of the pitch.

Weaknesses

Technically, he never really had many weaknesses. He just isn't really spectacular as an attacking or defensive midfielder. He doesn't lead from the middle and can let the game pass him by.

Premier Quality?

Not at the moment. Welsh needs to take a step back and recover some of the confidence and fitness he's lost since the injury.

Future?

It's easy to see why Phil Brown hasn't sold 'Welshy'. He showed a lot of promise two years ago. He'll surely be allowed to go out on loan though, because he doesn't look capable of playing in the first team at the moment.