Stoke City head coach Mark Robins has commended Hull City for their proactive approach in the January transfer market, particularly noting the recent acquisition of Louie Barry, which represents the club's seventh signing during a bustling transfer window. Under the stewardship of owner Acun Ilicali, manager Ruben Selles has received substantial backing to bolster the squad as they aim to avoid relegation following a challenging start to the Championship season. The influence of these new players is already becoming evident.
In Hull's recent 1-0 victory over Millwall, notable contributions came from the likes of Matt Crooks, Joe Gelhardt, and Nordin Amrabat. Despite a setback against Queens Park Rangers, Gelhardt's stunning volley and Crooks' opening goal in a convincing 3-0 triumph over Sheffield United last Friday have underscored the effectiveness of the club's new signings.
Robins, who has a history with Crooks from their time at Huddersfield Town, expressed admiration for the player's capabilities. "Hull have struggled at the start of the season but they've changed. They've always been a team that is an in-possession-based team and they've obviously had a real good go in the transfer window so far," he remarked prior to Stoke's visit to East Yorkshire. He highlighted the significance of Barry’s arrival, stating, “Seemingly there were a lot of clubs who were interested in him. He'll be looking forward to playing in the Championship, so that's going to be an interesting one."
He also commented on Crooks' return, saying, "They've signed Matt Crooks, who they've brought back from the States, and he scored his first goal the other day. I know Crooksy, I had him at Huddersfield Town as a youngster and he's got a lot of technical abilities as well as his physical ones and his main physical one is that he's 6ft 5in. They've brought some power in there as well."
Robins acknowledged Hull's recent improvement, stating, "They're a good side, a difficult side to play against as Sheffield United found out to their cost last week... They've won a few games now, it was an impressive result last time out and they've altered the face of their squad." He noted that Hull's extensive recruitment mirrors their strategy from the previous season, which aimed for playoff contention, but this time is focused on moving away from the relegation zone. “That can sometimes help, it can sometimes hinder...”
Currently, Stoke City find themselves positioned just below Hull in the Championship table, differentiated solely by goal difference. Robins' side has yet to secure a league victory during his tenure, comprising one loss against Portsmouth and three draws, although they did manage a cup victory against Sunderland. Historically, Stoke City has enjoyed success at the MKM Stadium, winning their last three encounters without conceding.
Reflecting on the upcoming match, Robins stated, "For us going there, it's an opportunity to put in a good performance, and I'm looking for that really." He expressed disappointment over their recent goalless draw against Oxford United, highlighting the failure to capitalise on promising opportunities. "I thought we'd done OK last week... we got into some really good positions that we didn't capitalise on, either making wrong decisions, wrong choices or wrong technique selection."
Robins underscored the importance of delivering an entertaining performance for the fans, noting, "It's an entertainment business at the end of the day... We’ve got to try to entertain people, keep them coming and wanting to come." He remains optimistic about his players, appreciating their eagerness to learn and grow. "We’re trying to be as positive as we possibly can with them, which I think is the only way to be."
As reported by Hull Live, the upcoming fixture is poised to be a pivotal moment for both teams as they seek to solidify their ambitions within the Championship.