After a shady pre-season on the pitch and a disastrous one off it, Hull City finally looked like a Premier League team with a much improved performance against Championship side Nottingham Forest.
Diomande double cuts down Forest
Eyebrows were raised when star striker Abel Hernandez was left out the squad after a summer of being linked with a move back to Serie A. Yet any concerns surrounding Hull's firepower were soon put to bed when Adama Diomande continued his good form after scoring against Barnsley on Tuesday. The striker opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute when he prodded home a Mo Diame cross. Youngster Jarrod Bowen was denied moments later, before Diomande doubled his tally on the eighteenth minute when he headed home an Ahmed Elmohamady cross. Eldin Jakupovic was forced into a couple of saves before the break but the visitors were looking more than comfortable.
The inevitable half-time changes were made that took out some of the sting in the game. Oliver Burke and Jorge Grant both had efforts on target for the hosts, sandwiched around a solo attempt from Diame. Burke did grab a goal back for Nottingham Forest as Curtis Davies was caught in possession but it proved to be too little too late as Hull ran out 2-1 winners.
New Tigers in the frame
Hull are also believed to be well placed to name their new manager within the next week. The club announced they had a five candidate shortlist and began interviews at the end of the week. Former USA Head Coach Bob Bradley has been heavily linked, as has Wales' Euro 2016 hero Chris Coleman, whilst Roberto Martinez is believed to have a good chance of taking the role.
The Tigers are also beginning to make waves in the transfer market. They have rejected a £7million bid from West Ham for Andrew Robertson, placing a £15million tag on the left-back's shoulders following an injury crisis in defence. Hull have also reportedly made loan offers for out of favour strikers Wilfried Bony and Christian Benteke.
With the Yorkshire club due to fly to their final pre-season training camp in Austria at the beginning of the week, Hull will be hoping to appoint a new manager and make some new signings as quickly as possible.