What can City fans expect from Slater?
Sheffield United midfielder Regan Slater has become Hull City’s tenth summer signing, after he penned a season-long loan deal from the Premier League club.
Here, we take a look back at his career to date and assess where he will fit into a City side brimming with confidence after a fine start to life in League One.
His early days...
Slater is a Sheffield boy. He grew up in Gleadless, a suburb of the city and came through the Blades’ academy. Having come through the system, Slater made his senior debut in a cup game against Grimsby Town aged just 17.
The debut was one the youngster would be unlikely to forget in a hurry, scoring in a 4-2 victory, becoming the club’s youngest ever goalscorer.
After that impressive debut, Slater agreed a professional contract which ran until earlier this summer, when a one-year extension was agreed.
Later that month, Slater went into a crunching tackle on Ipswich’s Bersant Celina during an FA Cup tie, a challenge which Chris Wilder described as his highlight of the match.
A tackle, it would be fair to say, is something he enjoys.
League experience?
The midfielder impressed at
Carlisle and played 41 times, scoring a couple in a 4-0 win over Swindon Town, before going on to make 15 appearances at Scunthorpe United.
What sort of player is he?
Slater by his own admission is a player who can operate across midfield and that’s an attribute Grant Mccann has spoken continually about.
He’s comfortable going from box-to-box in the number eight role, or can play wide, deep or further forward - and he has an eye for a goal as Iron fans will testify.
Why leave Bramall Lane?
Slater is highly-rated at the Blades and Wilder is certainly a fan. Wilder has made no secret about how tough it is for Slater and other youngsters to break into the Blades’ 25-man Premier League squad, so rather than halt his development, he’s keen to get him out playing football.
What’s the player said?
Well, talk about get on the right side of your supporters early, Slater, a Blades fan made this comment about Sheffield Wednesday.
“All I know is that they stopped Sheffield Wednesday going up to the Prem with a wonder strike, and that’s all I need to know, that’ll do me,” when asked about his City knowledge.
And Mccann’s view?
“Regan’s someone we’ve been monitoring for quite a while,” said the Tigers head coach.
“He’s a really good player, really sharp in his movements, really energetic, calm on the ball and has really good legs in terms of running away from people.
“He’s had two very good loans at Scunthorpe and Carlisle, where he racked up over 40 appearances. He’s ready for the next step.
“He was with Sheffield United’s first team all pre-season, and played in their pre-season games. “He’s thought of highly there so we’re pleased to get him. He’s a good kid, got a good attitude and is a really good character.”
Where will he fit in?
Good question. And that’s one of those conundrums managers like to have. City have started the season well, and in turn, so have their midfield unit so a starting berth will not be assured.
With Richie Smallwood set to miss at least three weeks and Mallik Wilks out injured too, there’s a need for cover - and with it being a particularly long season, Mccann is keen to have quality to call upon throughout the winter. Slater can operate anywhere across the midfield engine room and that will give the manager a welcome headache.
Had next Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie with Grimsby not been shelved, Slater would almost certainly have started. As it is, a place on the bench against Plymouth is more likely followed by a spot in Andy Dawson’s Under-23 side against Nottingham Forest next Tuesday.