Hull were perhaps unlucky to go back down to the Championship last season, only missing out on safety by three points to an Aston Villa squad that looks beyond poor. However, unlike QPR, and other teams, the Tigers have been fighting alongside Burnley to try and regain their Premier League status this term.

Currently sitting top of the Championship after their draw with fellow promotion chasers, Brighton,, Hull have fought back and look on course to earn promotion back to the Premier League. With matches against all bar one of the top 10 to go, it won't be an easy ride for Hull to get back, though.

The reason Hull have done so well is they have kept the talent necessary to do well in the Championship. Although a lot of players were released, key names such as Tom Huddlestone, Allan McGregor, Curtis Davies, Abel Hernandez, Robert Snodgrass, Mo Diame were kept, while the additions of Nick Powell, Shaun Maloney and Chuba Akpom added spark and energy. Hull were sensible and released the deadwood that, perhaps, dragged them down, and are now a fairly fresh unit.

Hull have only lost one game since the turn of the year, which is the kind of form in the Championship which can take you up. However, because the second tier is one of the most competitive leagues in the world, the Humbersiders will have to work really hard to make sure it counts for something.

Out of all the teams looking to get promotion, Hull, as well as perhaps Middlesbrough, look the most suited squad wise. They will be hoping that their FA Cup run will not get in the way of their promotion campaign, with a tie against Arsenal quickly followed by an important clash against Ipswich.

Considering that any of the current top six could still finish top, with only eight points in it, it will go to the wire. Hull will be hoping that experienced heads such as Snodgrass, McGregor, Davies and Huddlestone, who have all been in this position before, can provide consistent performances.

Through keeping hold of underrated Steve Bruce, Hull already have an advantage in an experienced manager who knows exactly what is required of his team to make it back to the Prem. Bruce has done it before, and is extremely well qualified to lead the Tigers.

April will be one of the most important months, with seven matches, luckily with only one side from the current top 10. If Hull do drop points within March, they will be hoping to claw them back against bogey teams like Wolves, Huddersfield, Reading, Derby and Leeds.

Come May, if Hull are anywhere below the play-off places, it will be an awful disappointment. In order for that to happen though, they will have to slip up regularly along the way. Come their match against Rotherham on the 7th May, many Hull supporters will be hoping to be renewing their season tickets for another season back in the Premier League.

Given the current quality of Aston Villa, you feel that Hull are not any worse than that side. The Tigers, if everything goes to plan, will be roaring again come May.

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