2010-11 npower Championship Preview: Hull City

This really is a step into the unknown for us. On paper we have a squad of players who clearly should know how to get out of the Championship again, but the finances mean we could still lose more players. Nigel Pearson is a great appointment, though, so it should be a more positive season than last year and we should, in theory, be winning more games. We could genuinely finish anywhere between 1st and 24th - this is Hull City after all - but I think we'll just miss the play-offs.

Last season Relegated Prediction 10th

The new boys I'm sorry to see Steven Mouyokolo go to Wolves, but otherwise we've done what's necessary. Harper and Solano look like good signings - and they represent two more signings than I thought we'd be able to make. The club still needs to cut the cost of the massive, unsustainable wage bill, and until then it's hard to imagine many more players arriving. Adam Pearson, the chairman, says they're trying to sign a striker, but it depends on losing more players first.

Men to watch Having Ian Ashbee back from what looked like a career-threatening injury will be massive for us. He hasn't played competitively since May 2009 but has featured in pre-season.

Best youngsters Tom Cairney should shine this season in the centre of midfield - he started to break through last season - and Mark Cullen, a youth-team product, is a striker with bags of potential.

Target for the boo-boys Any of our goal-shy strikers will get it. Caleb Folan probably.

Hate figure Anyone even slightly associated with Leeds or Sheffield United.

Going up Middlesbrough, Burnley, Nottingham Forest
Going down Millwall, Scunthorpe, Portsmouth