‘Hungry bunch’ make statement of their intent
Grant Mccann’s Hull City came through their biggest test so far this season, winning 3-0 at promotion rivals Ipswich Town. Mallik Wilks’ strike inside two minutes set the Tigers on their way to a sixth away victory, before Josh Magennis crashed in the second on the stroke of half-time.
Tom Eaves came off the bench to net a third and complete the dominant victory at Portman Road.
Here we look at some of the talking points.
All too easy...
I was a little surprised with the ease at each City were able to put Ipswich to the sword.
We’d billed it as their biggest test of the season, and yes, it probably was just that, but the first goal almost typified the space Town allowed the Tigers to operate in.
Swift movement down the right flank saw Josh Emmanuel play in George Honeyman who fed Wilks to thump the ball into the net, and that was barely a minute in.
Yes, Ipswich had lots of possession in front of City but rarely were they able to cut through behind Emmanuel and Callum Elder. Instead they were forced to pump cross after cross into the box which was easy pickings for Reece Burke and Jacob Greaves.
When you look at the four shots the home side managed on target, I’m struggling to think of any which were unduly difficult for Matt Ingram, and given the little tactical tweaks Mccann made at the break, the second half was a different kettle of fish entirely.
City were much, much better in possession and pushed Town back. Granted, Paul Lambert was without a host of players who would have been in the starting XI that however, should not take away from the dominant display put on by the Tigers.
Sending out a statement...
The manager and his players have come in for some criticism this season when it comes to facing the better teams in the league, and by that I mean Fleetwood and Peterborough.
If there was a caveat to City’s fine start, it was that they’d failed against the so-called better sides, though that’s a little harsh on them in truth.
Fleetwood was a poor night and while they failed to stop Harvey Saunders at Highbury, the defeat was as much about City’s poor display as it was Fleetwood’s superiority. Against Peterborough, City played well and but for missed chances would have had the game sewn up by half-time, and then a couple of unfortunate hammer blows in the second half sealed it.
Here, Ipswich had won six in a row. It’s quite easy to claim the teams they’d beaten were all rubbish or whatever the narrative may have been, the fact remains they had won all six so to win 3-0 sends out a clear message and it proves to themselves that there really is nothing to fear in this distinctly average division. If, and I know it is a big if, Mccann’s men keep up this level of consistency and performance, it’s hard to see anybody stopping them.
Jacob Greaves - an inspired selection
What a revelation the young centre back has been since making his debut at Rochdale.
It’s not unreasonable to suggest the team looks much tighter with him alongside Burke, and the two worst defensive performances this season have come with Jordy de Wijs alongside Burke. Not only does the team look tighter as a unit, but also individually they do too.
Ingram looks more confident when dealing with balls into his box, Burke appears to have the shackles lifted, and on the flanks, Elder and Emmanuel know they’ve got solid and dependable partners in there. De Wijs may well have been billed as one of the Championship’s best defenders at one stage last season, but at the minute his form is simply not good enough to get in this team.
They’re a hungry bunch
The manager spoke about his players’ desire to chase down opposition, to hunt in packs, and his observations were entirely correct. There were numerous occasions where City could have found themselves exposed from being in an attacking position, but the desire from his players to come back and help, to do the ugly stuff was commendable.
Lots has been said (and written) about last season, about the attitude of some players - however, what cannot be questioned this term is the desire, the hunger, the keenness to work hard. It’s that attitude, to work harder than the opposition which is giving City the platform to collect the results they’re getting, this isn’t a fluke. You don’t win 10 games in 13 by being lucky, despite what rhetoric opposition managers will spout.
Take a breather...
It’s been a busy period and that isn’t going to change any time soon, but at least this weekend gives Mccann the chance to rest one or two of his key players.
An FA Cup tie at Stevenage is one Mccann wants to win, but it will also allow him to freshen things up, while giving him the perfect opportunity to bring back Keane-lewis Potter and Greg Docherty. There’s also likely to be starts for Lewie Coyle, George Long, James Scott, Eaves and Thomas Mayer, in what is a fantastic opportunity to progress into round three.