Mccann: Scotty and Tommy did not take chance
CITY BOSS SAYS DUO FAILED TO SHINE AGAINST ALBION
Thomas Mayer and James Scott both failed to grasp the opportunity handed to them by Grant Mccann, according to their manager. The pair were handed starts for Hull City against Burton Albion on Saturday, with Scott’s a first league start, while Mayer’s was a full home league debut.
Both showed glimpses in a first half of frustration at the KCOM Stadium, before boss Mccann took them both off at the break.
Scott and Mayer’s removal saw Hakeeb Adelakun and Tom Eaves come on, changes which reinvigorated City against 10-man Burton with Mallik Wilks crashing in 62 minutes in, before Adelakun rifled in the second two minutes from time.
Scott and Mayer both started at Harrogate in midweek, but Mccann admitted the pair didn’t take their rare starting opportunity at the KCOM Stadium.
“It probably was not the best game for Tommy and Scotty,” Mccann said.
“I felt Tommy missed an opportunity. He is one of the front players who has not started a (league) game this year.
“He didn’t play so well at Harrogate, particularly in the second half. But he has been impressing people with what he’s doing on the training ground.
“It just did not come off for him today and I thought we probably just needed a bit more physicality with Mallik moving to the right hand side (in the second half). They (Adelakun and Eaves) gave us a spark and a lift and it was nice to get the job done.
Mccann also poured a little cold water on suggestions that Jake Buxton’s Brewers were deeply affected by coronavirus.
Albion were without as many as 12 players for the trip to East Yorkshire, and they then lost Kane Hemmings in the pre-match warm-up, before Sam Hughes was sent off after 18 minutes.
But Mccann insisted the side Buxton was able to field was still an experienced one at this level.
“If you look at their starting 11, they had sixty-plus starts this season in League One. Our starting 11 had seventy,” he said.
“We also had Josh Magennis, Keane LewisPotter and Lewie Coyle missing.
“They are still an experienced team with people like Brayford, Bostwick, Eardley and Quinn. Not just in this league, but the one above.”