In the second part of our look at those City players who are out of contract, we look at the remaining five players and whether they are deserving of a new contract.
Paul McShane
Surely this is a no brainer? The only concern for City supports will be that Paul McShane will need to agree to a wage reduction in order to prolong his tenure at the club. Still only 28, McShane arrived in the September of 2008, initially on loan before being signed permanently the following season. McShane has gone on to make 72 league appearances for the club but it has not been until this most recent season that McShane has won the acclaim of the supporters.
Always renowned for his energetic and committed displays, McShane often found himself discarded by City`s managers, firstly by Nigel Pearson and subsequently Nick Barmby who rarely used the Republic of Ireland international. Indeed, it appeared that McShane was destined to leave the KC having spent unsuccessful loan spells at Barnsley and Crystal Palace, featuring only 22 games during these two spells.
This season, the arrival of Steve Bruce gave McShane a fresh start. As part of a three man defence, McShane flourished and having been in the shadows for many years, the defender came to the fore to feature on 29 occasions last season. A fans favourite during this time, McShane ended the season by scoring the second goal against Cardiff City, an effort which at the time guaranteed City promotion to the Premier League, although a subsequent Cardiff City equaliser and Leeds United winner at Watford prevented that. However, without his committed performance and that goal, City may not have won their newly gained Premier League status.
Verdict: Don`t let McShane leave unless you want a *@!*$@* riot. Guaranteed to be offered a new deal and surely McShane will want to stay at the club?
Seyi Olofinjana
A culprit of the overspending from the Paul Duffen and Russell Bartlett Premier League era, Olofinjana has long been a burden on the club`s financial wage bill.
Olofinjana arrived in 2009 for £3 million as Phil Brown acquired the central midfielder from Stoke City. The Nigerian made 19 appearances that season, scoring once against Stoke City before spending the 2010/11 season on loan at Cardiff City (where he scored against Hull City) as a makeweight in the arrangement which saw Anthony Gerrard loaned to City. A further 15 appearances in the last two seasons has seen Olofinjana rarely feature and the 32 year old spent closed the season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday.
Verdict: No future with Hull City despite his previous Premier League experience. Could be picked up by a Championship club or make a move abroad.
Mark Oxley
Mark Oxley made his Hull City debut as an injury time substitute against Sheffield Wednesday at the KC Stadium in the 2012/13 season, conceding in his few brief minutes in the City goal as he replaced the injured Eldin Jakupovic. Should Bruce seek to move on the Bosnian keeper who has failed to impress and should City falter in their attempt to sign David Stockdale, Oxley may earn a new deal.
Oxley came with high potential after signing from Rotherham United for £150,000 and has since had loan spells with Walsall, Grimsby Town (twice) and Burton Albion.
Verdict: Dependent upon City`s summer transfer activity, Oxley could be handed a short-term contract as he looks to establish himself.
Liam Rosenior
Rosenior joined Hull City in the January of 2011, initially on a short-term contract before signing a two year deal following the takeover of the club by the Assam family. Rosenior soon became an important figure in the City defence under the management of Nigeal Pearson and Nick Barmby but as with Andy Dawson, a switch to 3-5-2 under the guidance of Steve Bruce has limited Rosenior`s opportunities.
The City right-back, who has Premier League experience during an earlier spell with Fulham has made 105 league and cup appearances for The Tigers and most recently featured in City`s 2-2 draw with Cardiff City on the final day of the 2012/13 season.
Bruce may be unlikely to continue with the 3-5-2 formation which has served him so well this season when playing in the Premier League, meaning that the experience and quality of Rosenior could be an important commodity which should be retained.
Verdict: Rosenior has a role to fulfil and should be offered a new contract.
Jay Simpson
Simpson joined Hull City in 2010 having been a product of the Arsenal youth system. Despite a strong pedigree, Simpson has never been an effective goal scorer for the club, scoring just 13 goals in 85 league and cup appearances.
That is not to say that Simpson has not played an important part whilst here. Despite being overlooked by previous managers, Simpson was one of many to benefit from the approach of Steve Bruce. In 2012/13, Simpson made 47 appearances, scoring seven goals predominantly in the early months of the season. Despite this poor ratio, Simpson displayed on many occasions fantastic hold up play and awareness which helped the more productive members of the team flourish. His early season form was a particular highlight and he quickly formed a good partnership with Sone Aluko, displayed best in their combination to give Hull City the lead at Bristol City.
Despite his general play, the club will need goal scorers in the Premier League and Simpson has not displayed that capability at the club on a regular basis. For that reason, and with slight disappointment, it is unlikely that Simpson will be offered a new deal should Steve Bruce be able to acquire the proven attackers he requires.
Verdict: Unlikely to be offered a new contract and would surely be picked up by Championship club.
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I think you’ve got it right again Matt. Oxley for one must surely see that he’s going to need to move to get in the thick of regular competitive football.
Rosenior is one of the most important I think. We’d be a little foolish to simply let his quality and experience go for free.