Hull City must follow Matt Crooks blueprint and press forward with Watford FC acquisition | OneFootball

The Tigers must add further Championship experience this month

Hull City's previous transfer window was one where, despite the loss of several key players from last season, there was a continued focus on signings with long-term potential.

This was showcased in the dealings which brought Abu Kamara, Charlie Hughes and Mason Burstow in particular, to the club, with only one signing during Tim Walter's reign - the free agent deal for Joao Pedro - being over the age of 30.

Of course, age doesn't always equate to experience, as several of Hull's squad who have become household names in the Championship, have struggled to find consistency over the course of the first 26 league matches.

The Tigers have also become notorious with foreign exports in the transfer market, and due to the extreme variation of success levels in this regard, it has been stated by large sections of the support-base in East Yorkshire that additions with a wealth of second tier knowhow should become more of a priority, especially in Hull's current predicament.

And, after following suit with the recent signing of former Middlesbrough playmaker, Matt Crooks, City should look to replicate such a blueprint and make advancements to acquire Watford defender Ryan Porteous, who has also recently been linked with a potential switch to the MKM Stadium, in a deal which would address the club's defensive woes.

Hull City have struggled defensively throughout the 2024-25 season

Despite the fact that goalkeeper Ivor Pandur has been Hull's standout performer across the season, the club's defensive frailties have been laid bare for all to see on too many occasions.

Although Hull have conceded 36 times, which is less than the likes of play-off chasing Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday and the same figure as Porteous' current employers, just two clean sheets all season highlights that whilst the side which Selles has improved have rarely taken a battering - aside from a 4-0 defeat at Carrow Road in October - defensive reinforcements are a must.

An average of 1.4 goals conceded, 2.8 saves and 22.4 clearances per game, on top of 12 errors leading to shots and four to goals, highlights how overworked Hull have been as a defensive unit this term, with the recent 1-0 win at Blackburn Rovers yielding a first clean sheet in four months.

Therefore, it's no surprise that the 22nd-place side have seen themselves linked with the likes of Porteous and Nottingham Forest's Willy Boly, who has previously won the division with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, whilst the Scot has featured in 23 matches for the Hornets in all competitions this season, which also saw him captain the side against Fulham last Thursday, a potential acquisition of the former Hibernian man does seem the more realistic out of the two scenarios, and its certainly one which Hull should push forward with.

It was reported initially by FussballEuropa that Porteous had fallen out with Tom Cleverley after being named as a substitute against Sheffield United on January 4th, and that Hull had lodged a €2m+ bid for the centre-back.

And, whilst no further reports have been made regarding a concrete bid - Cleverley did admit that interest in the 25-year-old has surfaced from clubs - which was also stated by Hull Live - although the Watford boss stated there was no evidence of a falling out between the pair.

“I don’t know where the reports have come from, and I don’t think there are any quotes in the stories," he told the Watford Observer last week.

“He is one of a number of our players that have attracted a little bit of interest, but right now Ryan is a Watford player and right in the thick of things for selection."

However, Hull shouldn't be deterred by those admissions, as whilst the defender has only been a part of a side that has kept 18 league clean sheets since his £450,000 arrival from Easter Road two years ago, 10 of those came last season, with this aspect and his aerial threat rightfully earning the 12-time international a place in Steve Clarke's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

And, despite a disastrous personal and collective tournament, Porteous has continued his form as one of the more impressive centre-backs in an open Championship this term, which has seen him also find the net on two occasions.

The aforementioned deal which saw Crooks arrive from Real Salt Lake was met with praise as the midfielder added further physical presence to Hull's midfield, and that is another attribute which the Scot would bring to Hull's defensive department, as well as a goal threat.

With over 70 appearances at this level under his belt, there are far worse defensive options for Selles to consider when it comes to Hull's short and long-term ambitions, as a future defensive partnership of Porteous and the currently injured Hughes is an exciting proposition to think about.