Football League World
·1 November 2024
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·1 November 2024
FLW's Tigers fan pundit has predicted a potential outcome regarding the January transfer window
This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Hull City's squad saw a major turnover of players in the summer transfer window, with 17 new faces replacing the 19 who came out of the MKM Stadium exit door.
Even in the opening two-and-a-half months of the Championship campaign, we've become accustomed to a 'horses for courses' approach when it comes to Tim Walter's team selection, with the German unafraid to make several changes to a side if deemed a necessity.
There have been several new additions to the side who have showcased they can eventually form a really strong spine under the German in City's 'new-look' squad, with Ivor Pandur eventually grasping the number one shirt after signing under Liam Rosenior, whilst Charlie Hughes and Gustavo Puerta have made significant impressions on Hull supporters in their first handful of outings for the club.
Such strong performances from new additions have, therefore, given strong competition to some of the mainstays within the squad, which includes the likes of Regan Slater and Sean McLoughlin.
Although there isn't expected to be anywhere near the same amount of transfer activity in East Yorkshire in January compared with the high summer turnover, FLW's City fan pundit, Ryan Frankish, has made an intriguing prediction when it comes to a potential scenario in the winter window.
As referenced above, Slater has been a mainstay within the Hull squad since joining on loan in the club's League One title-winning campaign of 2020/21, before eventually signing permanently with the Tigers for a well-documented £50k figure in January 2022.
The former Sheffield United man has become a popular figure among the City faithful in that timeframe, and has proven himself to be a steady second tier performer whilst also competing with, and playing alongside the likes of Jean Michael Seri and Tyler Morton last campaign in particular.
Therefore, Frankish is hoping his prediction involving Slater and a potential January exit, doesn't come to fruition.
He stated: "I pray to god it doesn't happen, because I love him. But, I've got a feeling that Regan Slater might get a shock move away. (in January)"
"Sometimes he seems frustrated. Yes, he's a player who wears his heart on his sleeves a lot of the time, but he can seem very frustrated with the team sometimes."
our fan pundit continued.
"There just seems to be this weird air around him, and I'd be absolutely gutted if he left. But, I'd say by now, he isn't the midfielder that we signed for £50k. He's a solid Championship midfielder."
Frankish concluded: "I think there would be a lot of teams sniffing around him. I really hope he doesn't go, but I wouldn't rule it out."
As showcased in a number of games this campaign, Slater has proven with his attributes and quality that he can still influence games under Walter.
In reference to being played in a more comfortable role, featuring in the 'number ten' position against Burnley on 23rd October definitely brought the best out of the midfielder, although many would argue that he is still an archetypal box-to-box performer, whilst at times last campaign, his versatility meant Rosenior would deploy the 25-year-old at right-back on occasions.
His best performance so far this season was in the 3-1 success at Stoke City in September, as in just 32 minutes, his introduction proved to be inspired with a goal, key pass and a successful dribble in just 14 touches, which was also in a more-advanced position.
Slater has come on leaps and bounds since initially making the step-up into the Championship, and his performances have so often gone under the radar, meaning that, as Frankish alluded to, there would be a number of suitors if the aforementioned scenario was to come about.
The midfielder is still under contract with the club until the summer of 2026, with Hull holding an option to extend that deal by a further year, meaning that a big decision on Slater's future doesn't need to be made at this moment in time.