Hull City must have 2024 mishaps in mind as contract offer sent to Reading FC man | OneFootball

The Tigers must learn from their previous mistakes in the goalkeeping department

Hull City will be looking to avoid a repeat of the past 12 months in so many ways, having regressed from seventh to 21st in the Championship standings.

Whilst former Dinamo Zagreb and current Kayserispor boss, Sergej Jakirovic, is still favourite to take over from Ruben Selles - who was sacked three weeks ago - the Tigers hierarchy can now begin to make moves in the transfer market, although it remains to be seen how much business will be dictated by the likes of Acun Ilicali, Jared Dublin and new head of recruitment Martin Hodge in comparison to the new man in the dugout.

A handful of names have been linked with a potential move to the MKM Stadium, including experienced second tier goalscorer Oli McBurnie and his former Sheffield United colleague, John Lundstram.

Another name linked with City is Reading's out-of-contract goalkeeper, Joel Pereira. And, whilst the Portuguese would normally be a savvy pickup on a free transfer, those at the club must take previous mishaps in the goalkeeping department into account.

It was reported by Dan Marsh of the Mirror that the East Yorkshire side aren't the only club looking to poach the 28-year-old from the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with the Royals' League One rivals, Wycombe Wanderers, also offering the shot-stopper a contract.

In a testing environment in Berkshire - prior to Rob Couhig's early off-season takeover - Pereira was the joint-fourth oldest player at former City boss, Selles and then Noel Hunt's disposal as a youthful side mounted a sustained play-off bid, eventually falling short by three points after a 4-2 defeat to Barnsley on the final day.

However, the former Manchester United man's contributions were major, and that was reflected in comparison to fellow 'keepers across the third tier, ranking fifth for save percentage (75%) and second for both goals prevented (9.1) and saves per 90 minutes (3.5).

Unsurprisingly, the man who has made 54 appearances for the club was one of nine senior players offered fresh terms as Reading enter a new era under Couhig and Todd Trosclair, which could entice him to stay in RG2.

Whilst such stats showcase that playing at a higher level is a distinct possibility and attraction, having made just two Championship appearances previously, the Tigers must be wary of what occurred just five months ago involving summer signing Anthony Racioppi and former Brighton loanee, Carl Rushworth.

Ivor Pandur's strong form kept two highly-rated goalkeepers out of Hull City XI

The 2024/25 campaign was one that saw Ivor Pandur make his bow in Black and Amber after previously being Ryan Allsop's understudy before the experienced figure departed for boyhood club, Birmingham City.

Regardless of the 25-year-old's strong reputation, Hull added the services of both Racioppi from Young Boys and Rushworth on loan from Fabian Hurzeler's outfit.

The former Swiss international's individual campaign couldn't have gone any worse from a personal point of view, making just one appearance for his new club in a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Cup, as well as failing to make a senior appearance for fallen German giants, FC Koln, as Die Geißböcke were promoted back to the Bundesliga and, unsurprisingly, won't be taking up the option of a permanent move.

Rushworth's ability at second tier level was well-known after previously excelling at Swansea City, and became part of the goalkeepers union initially under Tim Walter, eventually making his debut under Selles in the FA Cup against Doncaster Rovers before unexpectedly starting the following two league games against Millwall and Queens Park Rangers amid Pandur's continued consistency between the sticks.

Whilst it was out of the Tigers' hands that the 23-year-old was recalled by Albion in January, as well as previously sustaining an ankle issue, Rushworth's lack of initial involvement given his pedigree certainly raised eyebrows as to why a temporary agreement had been struck to begin with.

Unsurprisingly, Pandur went on to be named Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year in HU3, as his performances were the most important facet in achieving survival.

As Pereira has proven to be a solid performer in the past 12 months too, it wouldn't make the greatest amount of sense for the Royals man to be sitting on the bench at this stage of his career, which is something City would have to bear in mind, although on a free transfer, the financial implications would be far less problematic.