CITY GET THE JOB DONE
Saturday was one of those no-win situations for Hull City, as they faced a Burton Albion squad ravaged by coronavirus and then not helped by a withdrawal in the warm-up and then a sending off. Goals in the second half from Mallik Wilks and substitute Hakeeb Adelakun were enough to seal a 2-0 win which sent the Tigers second in League One.
Here, Barry Cooper reflects on the key moments you may have missed.
Perseverance
If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying and trying until you do. That was most definitely the case for the Tigers.
Chance after chance came and went, and even after Sam Hughes was given his marching orders just 18 minutes in, City still had to keep plugging away.
They were not at their fluent best, far from it, but they persevered with it and showed a degree of character to keep flushing out those chances.
This was a no-win match for City given the situation Burton found themselves in, followed by losing their leading striker (Kane Hemmings) in the warm-up, and then an early red card – everybody expected the Tigers to thump the Brewers.
In these games, you just have to find a way to get through and win it.
The fact City have done just that, scored a couple of goals and kept a clean sheet is all that really matters.
Yes, we’d all love to see Mccann’s side playing fast, free-flowing football by romping to the League One title by Christmas, the reality is that this season is all about getting promoted and winning games any which way is all that matters.
Chances
Speaking of chances, another 17 were racked up at the KCOM with nine of those on target.
Probably the biggest miss was Adelakun’s prod over at the back post after excellent work from Wilks.
The biggest criticism this season thus far has been their profligacy in front of goal, and again on Saturday, City passed up their fair share.
Without doubt, it cost them points at Swindon and against Peterborough, so there’s a need to sharpen up in front of goal, and also with the final ball which can sometimes be lacking.
Missed opportunities
No, not another opportunity to bemoan City’s finishing, but the chances handed by Mccann to James Scott and Thomas Mayer.
Both were given opportunities at Harrogate on Tuesday, and while the young Scotsman scored the first goal, it was hardly a performance to live long in the memory from either player.
So, somewhat surprisingly, Mccann gave the pair another chance on Saturday and it would be fair to say that neither grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Aside of a lovely piece of link-up play just before half-time which saw them exchange passes outside the box and Scott drive an effort well over the bar, there was little else to get too excited about.
Much of City’s play in the first half was a little too slow and ponderous, especially against a side with 10 men, and while the duo can’t be solely blamed for that, neither did much to pick up the tempo.
It can’t be easy for either, Scott coming back after another injury layoff and Mayer in a different country. Trying to find a way into a side like this in good form is tough, so the pressure to perform only intensifies, but when these chances come along they must take them.
There may well be another one tomorrow against Grimsby, but there comes a point when those chances might start to dry up.
Strength in depth
While Burton only mustered three substitutes for their Papa John’s Trophy game on Tuesday, City were making ten changes at Harrogate.
This was another example of the gulf in resources between City and some other clubs in this division.
Mccann said on Thursday he would be confident of fielding a side even if ten or 12 of his players missed a game through coronavirus, and this game showed again the strength he can call upon.
In taking off Scott and Mayer, Mccann was able to send on Tom Eaves and Adelakun, both of whom would most likely walk into most other teams in this division, while Josh
Magennis and Keane-lewis Potter were missing.
Players coming off the bench this season has been an effective asset for Mccann thus far, and will only become more important as the season wears on.
Emmanuel goes from strength to strength
Poor Lewie Coyle. Arriving from Fleetwood in the summer, he must surely have expected a regular place in his hometown side.
Unfortunately for him, Josh Emmanuel has been the find of the summer.
Emmanuel’s performances have been exceptional, consistently at a high level both going forward and defending, he’s been a fantastic asset to this team.
Against Burton, Emmanuel was again superb and if this form continues, City might have to field some unwanted interest when the transfer window opens in January.