People will tell you that there's no value on deadline day, that you have to overpay if you panic buy, that leaving it late is dangerous, but Steve Bruce has dispelled these myths. Hull pulled off no less than four last minute signings, all of which improve the depth and quality of the squad; for a combined fee of less than the price of Danny Welbeck.
Hull signed Abel Hernandez, an extremely fast and highly rated striker with a record that isn't that impressive, but it's not dissimilar to Shane Long's who was slightly more expensive despite being 3 years older. Hernandez does have a good International record, scoring 7 in 14 appearances, as well as an impressive season last season, so it appears that he is still improving and should be a good replacement for Long. He is extremely quick and willing to run in behind the defence, which should be a great combination with fellow Uruguayan Gaston Ramirez, who joined on a season long loan after failing to lock down a starting place at Southampton. Ramirez is an extremely talented player who had been chased for a while by top European teams before signing for Southampton, but he's not quite settled in. He could be an absolute steal for Hull should he display the talent that was so clear 2 years ago. He's still young and this could be a huge season for the attacking midfielder who will add flair and creativity to a team which sometimes struggle to break down the more organised sides in the league.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, Hatem Ben Arfa turned down the offer of joining relegation threatened Birmingham City in the Championship. To the surprise of a few people, however, he accepted the chance to prove himself under Steve Bruce at Hull. Newcastle fans bemoan the decision to let go the enigmatic winger go, blaming Pardew for not getting the best out of him and I have to say it is a bizarre decision, as Ben Arfa is a wonderfully talented if mercurial player capable of carving open even the best of defences on his day. Touted as a player who could not only somebody who could be a target for PSG or Liverpool but someone who could be a potential Ballon D'or winner, Hull have an amazing talent on their hands that if they can control, can propel them onto the next level.
Finally on deadline day, Hull signed the talented Mo Diame from West Ham for £3.5 million pounds. Diame is another talent who is plagued with inconsistency, but Bruce will fancy himself as a good man manager who can get the best out of the players who previously were inconsistent. Diame is a player who doesn't fit the archetype of an African defensive midfielder - he is strong and powerful, but his game is based on his ball-carrying skills and attacking skills, rather than pure physicality and defensive strength. On his day he controls games in a way that Yaya Toure does, but on a smaller scale and not as consistently, but he could excel alongside the talented Huddlestone and the energetic and tenacious Livermore who will provide him with support.
In summary, Hull have signed some unbelievably talented players who may have not quite shown their skill quite yet, but they will be hoping that they can get the best out of them. Diame, Ben Arfa and Ramirez could all unbelievable coups for Hull if they work, whereas Hernandez could be a superb addition to an otherwise threadbare front line. Hull appeared to have contradicted the cliché that there's no value on deadline day and broken all the rules.
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