Hull boss Pearson expecting his Tigers fight for promotion

Hull manager Nigel Pearson believes he has assembled a squad that can last the pace in this season's npower Championship.

The Tigers will launch the new football season with a home game against relegated Blackpool tomorrow night, with both clubs looking to regain their top-flight status.

While Blackpool fell out of the Premier League last season, Hull did so a year ago, and initially struggled to adapt to life back in the second tier.

Pearson had to ride an initial wave of cynicism from the fans as a result but, after the club were bought by the Allam family at the turn of the year, their fortunes improved and they finished the season strongly.

And, after a summer of impressive recruitment, most notably the signing of Leicester's Jack Hobbs, Pearson thinks his charges can be in the mix after 46 games.

"We've got to make sure we're competitive and aim for a high level of consistency," he said in the Hull Daily Mail.

"That's the key to success in this division. You can't afford too many bad days.

"When we under-performed last season we were thumped. That gives you an indicator what this league is about.

"It's probably the toughest one to get out of going upwards but we're looking forward to the challenge.

"As always, we'll set our targets pretty high with promotion. That's easier said than done in a league which is renowned for its competitiveness.

"The sides that have come up from League One and the sides that have dropped down from the Premier League have really made the division harder, but hopefully clubs will have a bit of respect for us as well.

"We're in a decent position with the balance of our squad and the mood is very positive."

Pearson's biggest selection problem comes in attack, with Dele Adebola and Jay Simpson vying for the right to partner Matty Fryatt.

There will, of course, be no involvement for Jimmy Bullard, with the midfielder remaining suspended following an unspecified breach of club discipline.

While the main talking point of Blackpool's summer has been the departure of captain Charlie Adam to Liverpool, manager Ian Holloway has been somewhat quietly going about his transfer business.

The signings of veteran duo Kevin Phillips and Barry Ferguson may prove to be shrewd, with Ferguson set to skipper the side.

The 33-year-old has swapped one relegated club for another after leaving Birmingham, and the Seasiders are expecting big things from him ahead of the kick-off.

Assistant manager Steve Thompson told the Scotsman: "Barry's career stands up with anything we've got at Blackpool at the moment.

"He commands respect because of what he has done in his career and he has very high standards. Hopefully everyone here can live up to those standards.

"He is a good leader on and off the pitch and that will be important to us."