Mccann deserves his credit
TURNAROUND IS A RESULT OF FOUR KEY CITY CHANGES
GRANT Mccann has shown his adaptability to his credit as the pressure started to build at Hull City.
The Tigers boss was under mounting pressure at the start of November but a four-match winning streak has lifted City out of the Championship relegation zone.
They started the run three points adrift of safety and now have a five-point gap on their rivals, with Reading also dragged into the mire thanks to a points deduction.
In hindsight, it’s a good job that the Tigers have found a winning formula. Cardiff City’s change of management has given them a boost, whilst Preston and Nottingham Forest have both begun to pull clear.
Whilst Mccann undoubtedly deserved criticism for the poor run that left City in such a predicament, he is also due some praise for the recent transformation.
A shift to 3-5-2 has certainly helped get more bodies in attack and improve the defensive solidity.
There are several factors that you could point to. George Honeyman’s return in midfield has yielded three goals and an assist, whilst Nathan Baxter has kept three clean sheets in four games since ousting Matt Ingram.
Perhaps the greatest bonus of all has been the form of Ryan Longman, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The switch to a 3-5-2 has offered the forward-by-trade a route into the starting XI at left-wing-back.
His buccaneering runs have given the Tigers an extra outlet, also freeing up the likes of Mallik Wilks and Keane Lewis-potter in attack, preventing City from looking so one dimensional.
Longman deserves great credit for his adaptation, having netted eight goals as a striker for AFC Wimbledon in League One last term. It’s been a remarkable month in which only QPR have taken more points (13) in November, though Mccann will have every confidence of edging Mark Warburton to the Manager of the Month gong. Of course, the real challenge is whether City can sustain this form and pull clear. Given the current form, their next two matches, at least, certainly don’t look daunting.