Pressure cranks up on Mccann as City lose - again
SAME OLD STORY AS TIGERS FAIL TO PUT THEIR CHANCES AWAY AND ADEBAYO SEALS LUTON WIN
It’s been 21 years since Hull City last went six away league games without scoring, but that was another unwanted record set by Grant Mccann’s Tigers at Luton. City suffered their third straight defeat to leave them further entrenched in the Championship’s relegation zone after Elijah Adebayo’s unmarked header at the back post after 17 minutes enough to condemn the strugglers to their ninth defeat of the campaign.
While Mccann’s men were timid in the first half, their performance in the second period was much better, though again they struggled to create any real clear-cut chances, even if their efforts warranted a point.
Josh Magennis flashed a header wide before substitute Tom Eaves scrambled to create an opening for Keane Lewis-potter, who couldn’t convert with the goalkeeper AWOL.
It was however, another game where City were beaten despite having shown no shortage of effort, and the manager again facing calls for his head.
Mccann was forced into making one change with skipper Richie Smallwood drafted back into the starting XI replacing the stricken Tom Huddlestone.
There was a first appearance in the squad for Randell Williams since Fulham in late August with the summer arrival having recovered from injury to be named on the bench, though there was again no place for Matt Smith, Tyler Smith or Ryan Longman.
Barely three minutes had been played when City came close to conceding what would have been a ridiculous goal.
Having failed to clear the ball, it bounced onto the foot of Matt Ingram’s post before Jacob Greaves crashed it behind for a corner.
Lewie Coyle was then caught ball watching as the ball came into the box allowing Fred Onyedinma to ghost past him and nod the ball on.
The home side’s bright start continued and in truth, it was no surprise when the opening goal came 17 minutes in having been peppering the Tigers box until that point.
Jordan Clark was afforded too much space on the left. He lifted over a cross which caught City sleeping at the back post where Adebayo headed in from close range – the tallest player on the park, unmarked at the back post.
City’s frustration was summed up when Di’shon Bernard clashed with Adebayo on halfway before turning and instantly shoving him in the chest to collect a yellow card.
Ingram kept the score at one when he chested a teasing cross from Onyedinma away before blocking a goalbound effort from Glen Rea, City continuing to look nervous at the back.
With half-time fast approaching, Lewispotter powered a volley through the Luton defence looking for Mallik Wilks. Up against three the Tigers number seven did at least manage to fashion an effort wide, albeit a relatively tame one.
As Mccann trooped back across the pitch towards the dressing rooms at half-time, the boos from the City contingent behind the goal were ringing in his ears, having already heard the away fans chanting about his sacking.
The hosts were forced into making their second change of the afternoon at the break with top scorer Adebayo unable to continue and replaced by the experienced Cameron Jerome.
City’s first sustained period of pressure came when Greg Docherty forced a corner on the far side, and after a mad scramble inside the box, Luton cleared, but Mccann’s men came back, though despite a sustained period
of pressure they were again unable to force goalkeeper Simon Sluga into any work of note. That sustained period of pressure was punctured when the referee gave what looked a very soft free-kick against George Honeyman just outside the box, while Smallwood lay flat on his back inside it.
The skipper enquired inquisitively to referee Busby whether or not there was a case of a penalty, nothing was forthcoming and that allowed Mccann to bring off Wilks with George Moncur on against his former club with 25 minutes remaining.
His warm reception was almost drowned out by the cheers of City’s away following when Coyle’s near post cross was headed wide by Magennis.
Magennis was then hurt in a challenge and that proved to be his last action, replaced by Eaves 22 minutes from time.
Eaves was thrust straight into the action when he tried to lay the ball off for Lewispotter inside the box with keeper Sluga off his line, but Lewis-potter couldn’t force it home.
Another opening came their way when Callum Elder’s cross just evaded Honeyman at the back post. The home fans were getting nervous while the visitors could sense an equaliser, and a first goal away from home since the opening day.
Town’s final change came when former City man Reece Burke came off the bench for Onyedinma, while City replaced Honeyman with Williams with seven minutes left.
Four minutes were added on which almost allowed City a leveller, Bernard’s header was deflected behind and then Docherty in space inside the box on the right, pulled a shot wide.
Yet again, City arguably deserved something from the game, and yet again they have come away with nothing having been punished when it mattered most.
Mccann made a point of applauding the travelling supporters as he cut a forlorn figure walking off the pitch, who eventually went from jeers to applause.
For the second time in two games Mccann left the field to chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning,’ though this time it was the Luton supporters.
Ehab Allam was in the crowd again to see his side beaten, and with takeover talk continuing, it remains to be seen whether or not he sticks by his manager.