Steve Bruce led Hull City to the FA Cup final last season, in addition to securing the club's status in the Premier League.
It proved to be a busy summer window for the Tigers, with some tipping Bruce to lead the team to a top-half finish in the league this term.
It hasn't quite happened thus far, however, and with that in mind, Sports Mole has taken a look at their difficult first half of the season.
August
Hull's league season started in the best possible fashion as a second-half goal from James Chester secured all the points against newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
After reaching the final of the FA Cup last season, Hull had a spot in the qualification stage of the Europa League and they beat Slovakian side Trencin over two legs to set up a clash with Belgian outfit Lokeren.
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Their first leg at Lokeren ended in a 1-0 defeat – giving the Premier League side plenty to do in the reverse match.
As it turned out, Hull beat Lokeren 2-1 in the second leg, but it was not enough to advance as the Tigers went out on away goals. Sandwiched between the two-legged affair was a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City in the league.
Hull lost their first league match of the season on August 31, with Aston Villa claiming all the points in a 2-1 win.
It proved to be a very busy transfer deadline day for Bruce, who secured the likes of Abel Hernandez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Mohamed Diame and Gaston Ramirez – signings that suggested Hull were pushing for a top-half finish this term.
September
September, however, proved to be a winless month for the Tigers. Hernandez and Diame both scored their first goals for the club in a 2-2 draw with West Ham United, before the same scoreline occurred away to Newcastle United.
Hull's League Cup challenge took them to West Bromwich Albion on September 24, but they suffered a 3-2 defeat at The Hawthorns to exit the competition.
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Hull resumed their league duties at home to the champions Manchester City towards the end of the month, but fell two goals behind after just 11 minutes.
The Tigers launched a spirited response, but lost 4-2 to leave them without a league win since the opening day of the season.
October
October started with a much-needed 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. Two weeks later, they were seconds away from winning at Arsenal, but a late strike from Danny Welbeck forced Hull to share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Hull then faced a daunting trip to Liverpool, but again secured a point in a goalless draw to make it an extremely positive month.
Their new signings were struggling to fire, however, with Hernandez boasting only two league goals and Ben Arfa struggling to settle at the KC Stadium. As it turned out, matters were going to get much worse.
November
If October was positive, then November was anything but. The month started with back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Southampton and Burnley – leaving the Tigers teetering just above the relegation zone.
A home match against Tottenham Hotspur provided Hull with the chance to return to winning ways, but a red card for Ramirez and a late winner from Christian Eriksen made it another disappointing afternoon at the KC Stadium.
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The month was not completed, however, with Hull travelling to Manchester United on November 29. The Tigers had managed to hold Arsenal and Liverpool on the road, but could not prevent United triumphing 3-0.
Four straight defeats left Hull in a precarious position, but the supporters were remaining onside with Bruce.
December
The losing run ended away to Everton on December 3, but another draw at home to West Bromwich Albion made it eight league games without a win.
On such a poor run, Hull then had to visit the leaders Chelsea and in truth, they were soundly beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge as the wait for a win went on.
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A home match against Swansea City was next on the agenda, but again it was more disappointment as the Welsh side took all the points with a 1-0 win.
The Boxing Day trip to Sunderland finally brought some relief, however, as the Tigers picked up their first league win in 11 matches courtesy of a 3-1 success at the Stadium of Light. That result moved Bruce's side out of the relegation zone, but there was more disappointment around the corner.
Leicester City travelled to Hull on December 28 having not won in the league since September, but the Foxes left with all three points to increase the pressure on Bruce.
Position at the start of 2015: 17th
Star player so far: Michael Dawson
Must do better: Abel Hernandez
Where they need to strengthen in January: Midfield
Mid-season grade: E
To see Hull's remaining fixtures in 2014-15, click here.
Matt Law
