Hull City One To Watch: John Bostock

Cardiff City entertain Hull City this weekend with the Bluebirds hoping to end the weekend at the top of the Championship and the Tigers looking to end a three match winless streak.

Hull City were relegated from the Premiership last year and financial difficulties has seen a turbulent summer at the KC Stadium with plenty of players departing and joining new manager Nigel Pearson.

A look at the Hull City squad list confirms the Tigers remain at force at this level and will be a match for any Championship side on their day. An opening day win over Swansea City was followed by defeats to Doncaster Rovers and Millwall eaither side of a 0-0 draw with Watford.

New signing Jay Simpson, on loan from Arsenal, is an obvious and potent threat. The likes of Ashbee and Garcia are experienced and effective players while in new signing Robert Koren they certainly have the ability to unlock defences and create goalscoring chances. However, the Bluebirds must also pay close attention to Koren’s midfield partner and on-loan Tottenham Hotspur starlet John Bostock.

Bostock, 18, is a promising talent but is hugely inexperienced having played just a handful of games prior to a £1m+ move to Spurs in the summer of 2008. He joined League One side Brentford for a loan period before moving to Hull City for this season.

Despite his young age, Bostock is strong and provided genuine quality and cutting edge from midfield. His calibre was underlined whilst making his debut for the Tigers after scoring a sublime 30-yard effort against Swansea City. The goal was of the highest quality, after he evaded three tackles before unleashing a powerful 30 yard shot into the top corner.

Bostock has represented England throughout the youth age ranges and is tipped to become an England regular in the future. Cardiff City have Seyi Olofinjana on-loan, incidentally from Hull City, who will sit in front of the back four and look to stop Bostock and co. from getting forward into dangerous areas.

The midfield battle will be key with both sides possessing plenty of quality. A draw would not be a bad result for either side but Cardiff City will be looking to continue our three match wining streak and dominate possession. Hull City will look to Koren and Bostock to unlock the City defence and unleash the pace of Jay Simpson.