Regan Slater: New signings are pushing Hull City's core group to new heights

Hull City midfielder Regan Slater has welcomed the arrival of several new signings, insisting they are driving up standards and pushing the club's core group to perform at their best. Despite intense competition for places, Slater has been an ever-present in Hull's unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

  • Hull City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season and have not conceded a goal
  • Regan Slater has been an ever-present in the starting line-up
  • New signings include Tim Iroegbunam, Christos Mouzakitis, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Lucas Gourna and Hidemasa Morita
  • Oscar Zambrano has not been registered for the first half of the Premier League season
  • Slater and five others signed new contracts on Thursday
  • Hull City drew 0-0 with Aston Villa on Saturday

What was said

"The core group, that's what we built last year. We're getting results this season by working hard, doing the dirty bits. We're happy to not have the ball defending, so when they bring in new signings and they can see the core group and what they're about, they pick it up quite easily and they settle in nicely. We're all just pushing each other, really. It probably gets the best out of everyone. The standard of training goes up when they bring in quality players. Everyone's got to be pushing for their shirt and to keep hold of their shirt. If they're not, they know that someone else is going to step in and do a job for the team. The manager's been open about the new signings coming in and giving them time to settle. A lot of people that we have signed, I wasn't aware of who they were and they probably had no idea who I was. But there's been some great characters, along with a lot of quality. I wasn't really too fussed about deadline day. I've got better things to be doing in my spare time. I was probably playing on my Xbox."

— Regan Slater

Team news

Hull City's unbeaten start to the Premier League season has been built on a settled core, with Slater ever-present. New signings Tim Iroegbunam, Christos Mouzakitis, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Lucas Gourna and Hidemasa Morita have arrived to compete for places, though Oscar Zambrano has not been registered for the first half of the season.

The numbers

Hull City have not conceded a goal in the Premier League this season. Slater has played every minute of the campaign so far.

Analysis: Competition breeds success at Hull City

Slater's comments reveal a squad that is thriving under pressure. The arrival of multiple midfielders could have unsettled the dressing room, but instead it has raised the level of training and driven the existing core to maintain their standards. His admission that he was not aware of some new signings – and they of him – shows how the club's recruitment has cast a wide net.

The fact that Slater and five others signed new contracts on Thursday underlines the club's faith in the group that achieved promotion and has started strongly in the top flight. The manager's approach of giving new signings time to settle appears to be paying dividends, with the team remaining unbeaten and defensively solid.

Talking points

  • Slater's ever-present status suggests he remains a key figure despite the influx of talent.
  • The new contracts handed out on Thursday signal long-term planning at Hull City.
  • Hull's defensive record is remarkable, having not conceded a goal in the Premier League so far.

What happens next

Hull City will look to extend their unbeaten run when they return to Premier League action. Slater and his teammates will aim to maintain their solid start, with the competition for places set to continue.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the new signings at Hull City?

Tim Iroegbunam, Christos Mouzakitis, Jens Hjerto-Dahl, Lucas Gourna and Hidemasa Morita have joined, while Oscar Zambrano has not been registered for the first half of the Premier League season.

How has Regan Slater reacted to the competition?

Slater says the new signings are pushing everyone to improve, raising the standard of training and ensuring no one can take their place for granted.

What is Hull City's current form?

Hull City are unbeaten in the Premier League this season and have not conceded a goal, following a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

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