Sidibe in: The ideal Hull City starting XI v Bristol City on August 10th | OneFootball

Tim Walter will be hoping for an XI along these lines to take on the Robins at the MKM Stadium

Now the EFL fixtures for the upcoming 2024/25 season are out, managers and supporters will already be mapping out how they hope their club's squad will line up for the first round of matches - Hull City are no different.

Hull City came close to the Championship play-offs last term, but that ultimately wasn't enough to save Liam Rosenior's bacon, as the 39-year-old was swiftly replaced by Tim Walter.

Walter is a newcomer to the English game, but will hope to emulate the successes of compatriots such as current Leeds United boss Daniel Farke in moulding a squad which can compete for promotion back to the Premier League.

The former Hamburg SV coach is renowned for a high-octane but possession-heavy ideology, and the first competitive glance Tigers fans will get of his management comes at the MKM Stadium against Bristol City on Saturday, August 10 (Kick-Off - 12:30PM), just two years after beginning the campaign in East Yorkshire against the same opponents.

With that in mind, FLW takes a look at Walter's ideal starting XI to take on the Robins next month.

GK: Ivor Pandur

Starting off in goal is Croatian shot-stopper Ivor Pandur, who finally looks set to be given his chance between the sticks in the second tier.

Pandur was acquired from Fortuna Sittard in the January transfer window, and despite having Matt Ingram and Ryan Allsop on the club's books, many clamoured for the 24-year-old to be thrust straight into the limelight after featuring in 16 Eredivisie outings prior to his move across the North Sea.

However, that wasn't forthcoming, with Rosenior opting to stick with Allsop, who was prone to the occasional mishap which proved costly in City's unsuccessful play-off bid.

Therefore, with the experienced keeper recently departing for Birmingham City, it has paved the way for Pandur to make a serious impression on those who were desperate to see him in action, which was only relayed by Acun Ilicali's comments at an evening with supporters back in May.

RB: Lewie Coyle

The backline is one area of Hull's squad which doesn't need much tinkering when it comes to first names on the teamsheet, something which Lewie Coyle has been at his hometown club for quite some time.

At present, the former Fleetwood Town man is the only right-back at the club following the release of Cyrus Christie, and since initial rumours resurfaced in late May linking the Tigers with a swoop for USMNT international Bryan Reynolds, no other full-backs in this area have cropped up as serious targets.

With that in mind, Coyle has become a dependable Championship-standard right-back since Hull's promotion in 2021, and whilst competition definitely needs to be added in this area, the 28-year-old captain looks set to continue as first-choice.

CB: Alfie Jones

Alfie Jones' performances ever since signing from Southampton in 2020 have so often gone under the radar, with the centre-back so often 'Mr Consistent'.

Last season, the former Southampton man continued his impeccable relationship with Jacob Greaves at the heart of the defence, which was echoed by metrics such as only being dribbled past 0.4 times per game on average.

If the duo can stick together next season and raise their game to the next level, then Jones will surely get the credit from outsiders that he's deserved for some time.

CB: Sean McLoughlin

Sean McLoughlin was utilised as a squad player last term, but would be the natural replacement for Greaves in the current squad as a left-footed centre-back.

Despite making only 23 appearances last term, the Irishman has always been highly-rated among Tigers supporters, and would no doubt relish the challenge of cementing an even more regular starting berth under the new head coach.

The season before last saw the former Cork City man register 12 clean sheets in just 27 Championship appearances, as well as boasting solid average stats, such as the winning of 4.4 duels, 1.6 interceptions and 4 clearances per 90 minutes.

During that time, the aforementioned Greaves was also moved to left-back, so Walter doesn't particularly need to worry about the formation of a partnership with Alfie Jones once more.

However, even this prospect could be under threat amid interest from Blackburn Rovers, with Alan Nixon claiming McLoughlin could be available for a fee in the region of just £500,000.

LB: Ryan Giles

Ryan Giles definitely split opinion throughout his initial loan spell from Luton Town. However, after the Tigers triggered the option to make his move permanent on an initial three-year contract, the former Middlesbrough loanee should be a shoo-in on this side of the defence as a result.

In Walter's aggressive system, Giles could be a key weapon if he is able to recapture the form showcased at Middlesbrough under Michael Carrick two seasons ago, assisting 11 times and making 23 big chances.

Hull need to make plenty of additions in forward areas between now and the opening day, but whoever comes through the door will be licking their lips at the potential service they could receive.

With that being said, there is still improvement needed in Giles' overall game when it comes to the defensive side of proceedings, having been caught too far forward on occasions, which led to Hull's defence being susceptible, so finding that all important balance is a significant conundrum for his new boss.

The club must also do all they can to not accept any formal bids from his former club after a chaotic summer for all involved so far.

CM: Jean Michael Seri

Ivorian midfielder Jean Michael Seri is undoubtedly one of the first names on the teamsheet in HU3 under any manager, as the experienced midfielder continues to act as a smooth operator in the middle of the park.

Seri accumulated one goal, four assists and 163 progressive passes last season, highlighting his top-class ability when it comes to reading the play, which allows for Hull's abundance of attacking quality to prosper.

This fixture against the West Country outfit on the opening day will also evoke strong memories for the 2024 AFCON winner, having struck a 93rd-minute winner in front of the South Stand on his debut two seasons ago.

With Seri's contract expiring next summer, interest from the Saudi Pro League has surfaced, but Hull must keep the 32-year-old on their books for this coming season with his leadership and quality.

CM: Kalidou Sidibe

Kalidou Sidibe would definitely be a shrewd addition to Walter's midfield at the start of the season, bringing facets to the eleven which Hull more than lacked on occasions under Rosenior last term.

It's no secret that Hull are light on midfield options after the departures of Tyler Morton, Greg Docherty and Ozan Tufan. However, Sidibe is somebody who can master the anchoring role in the centre of the park, as well as being a threat from set pieces at both ends of the pitch as a 6"7 imposing figure.

With stats such as 6.1 balls recovered per game and a 59% duel win rate, Sidibe is the type of midfielder Hull have been crying out for, although they may face stern competition for his signature from Blackburn Rovers, according to recent reports.

RM: Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has been linked with a whole host of Championship clubs over the summer, and it's a situation that the Tigers have joined among the likes of Sunderland, Luton Town and Stoke City, all of whom will be hoping to reach the top six and potentially higher at the end of the season.

Rak-Sakyi showcased his raw talent at Charlton Athletic in 2022/23, registering 15 goals and eight assists, before featuring as a bit-part player for Crystal Palace under Roy Hodgson and Oliver Glasner.

It has been said for quite some time that the Championship is the next ideal temporary destination for the England U20 international, and given Hull's success with homegrown wingers such as Jarrod Bowen over the years, this could influence a potential move.

AM: Abdus Omur

After a full pre-season in England under his belt, it's an exciting prospect to see how Abdus Omur will fare under Walter's guidance.

So often, players from abroad can be forgiven for taking their time to adjust to the rigours of the Championship's relentless nature, but this was far from the case as far as the Türkiye international was concerned.

Omur took to the division like a duck to water and was always looking to make things happen, averaging 42.9 touches per game as well as registering two assists in just 16 games and 11 starts.

Walter has a knack for influencing players of a similar ilk, as proven by Hamburg's Slovakian midfielder Laszlo Benes, who tallied 19 of his 24 goal contributions under the 48-year-old last season.

At present, all Omur hasn't done is score for the Tigers, so adding the final piece of this specific jigsaw will only increase his confidence further, which will be a major boost to the side's overall prospects across the campaign.

LW: Kwame Poku

It would be extremely naive to think that City's hierarchy haven't drafted up a list of potential replacements for Jaden Philogene, and Kwame Poku should feature extremely high on that list.

The Peterborough United winger has excelled at the Weston Homes Stadium since Posh's relegation from the Championship in 2022, which included 11 goal contributions last term in League One, as his side were once again defeated in the play-off semi-finals.

Previous interest from the likes of Ipswich Town and Sunderland show how highly rated Poku is by sides at this level, with the ambition that such form could be replicated despite the obvious step-up in quality.

With the Ghanaian under contract until 2026 at present, a fee would be needed to prize him away from Darren Ferguson's side, but it would be well worth it.

ST: Kieffer Moore

With the news that Kieffer Moore is expected to sign a three-year contract with the club after striking a deal with Bournemouth, the experienced striker slots straight into this XI.

A two-time promotion winner with the Cherries and Ipswich Town, Moore provides extremely adequate Championship goalscoring nous and experience in equal measure.

City are believed to have fended off competition from Sheffield United and Cardiff City for his signature, and having beaten divisional rivals for such a sought-after target, it provides stern competition for the recently recalled Oscar Estupinan, but Moore just about edges his way into the starting lineup.