Upon learning the identity of Hull City's first four visitors to the KCOM Stadium, former boss Steve Bruce joked how he had considered swimming to the bottom of his holiday pool and staying there. Leicester City, the recently crowned Premier League champions, were the first to be sent to East Yorkshire, followed quickly by Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
The formidable four might draw the crowds but were unlikely to cough up many points. Leicester, as it turned out, did just that in the weeks that followed Bruce's resignation when losing 2-1 against all the odds, yet the other three title-chasing guests all departed with the victories expected of them.
Any hope of making a fast start on home soil was realistically dashed by the fixture computer back in June, but now the Tigers have a chance to top up the tank through the closing weeks and months of 2016. The arrival of Stoke City, a side currently in the bottom three, is the first time since winning promotion where Mike Phelan's men will not be considered rank outsiders. Last weekend's 6-1 loss to Bournemouth ensures the Tigers will still not start as favourites with the bookmakers but for once there is little to split the sides that currently occupy 16th and 18th spot.
Hull City need a win. Or at worst, they need to avoid a defeat this weekend. Four consecutive losses, amounting to a return of one point from a possible 18, has seen Phelan's side tumble down the table and amass the worst goal difference of all 20 clubs. A fifth straight defeat would leave them vulnerable to another fall, this time into the bottom three.
There will be a part of Phelan that would happily take a 0-0 draw if offered now. The 17 goals conceded in the last four games has been more alarming than the four defeats themselves, especially when the previous four fixtures had leaked just three goals.
Hull City's defensive efforts have depicted a team unravelling under the scrutiny of the Premier League and a clean sheet against Stoke has to be the first target. Not only did the Tigers concede their first goal from a set-piece this season in last weekend's Bournemouth humiliation, they conceded another two for good measure.
One man who will surely be hurried back is club captain Michael Dawson. The former England defender has not played a competitive fixture since the Championship play-off final in May after suffering a knee injury during preseason training. City initially didn't miss Dawson's expertise and calm head but his comeback could not be better timed in a defence already one man down.
Dawson's likely return will offset the absence of left-back Andy Robertson, who is facing up to eight weeks out with a calf injury suffered last weekend. Robertson had started every league game to date but his lay-off leaves Phelan without a recognised replacement. Either Sam Clucas will drop back into an unfamiliar role or it will be a full Premier League debut for youngsters Josh Tymon or James Weir. The timing of this opportunity makes neither ideal.
Another avenue for Phelan to explore could be a three-man defence, thus playing to the squad's strengths. That would make City a tougher nut to crack and ease in the new left-sided option with protection, but it has not been Phelan's way to date. City's head coach has spent the week searching for additions to a backroom team decimated by a summer of upheaval and he'll be concerned about the darkening mood around the KCOM Stadium. He had warned supporters of this being an arduous campaign with more lows than highs, but this still feels like a club never far from unrest.
Fans have also endured another week of takeover speculation in a saga dating back to 2014. This time it was a new Chinese consortium headed by Greater China Professional Services Limited, who revealed to the Hong Kong stock exchange that a provisional agreement had been reached to buy the club for £130 million. City have made no comment but any deal would appear to be some distance away.
It was just over two months ago that supporters protested against the Allam family, owners since 2010, ahead of the opening fixture. A victory in that game, as well as the next away to Swansea, turned down the volume on dissent but another win -- and positive performance -- is needed now.