THE EX-FACTOR?
McCann fears axe from the Turkish Simon Cowell
GRANT McCANN admits he does not know if Ryan Longman’s late winner will be enough to convince Hull’s new owner — dubbed the Turkish Simon Cowell — that he has the X-Factor.
Tigers boss McCann is set for crunch talks over his future with media tycoon Acun Ilicali next week.
Hull have picked up six points playing promotion-chasing Blackburn and Bournemouth since Ilicali completed his £30million takeover.
Asked if that will save him from being voted out, McCann said: “I have no idea. I am focusing on the football and pleased with the two wins. I am pleased with my players taking six points in a week from the teams second and third in the table.
“I do not know when I will be meeting the new owner. We will see how the week goes. I don’t know what is going to happen.”
Bournemouth would have been out of sight at half-time but for a combination of wasteful finishing and inspired goalkeeping from Nathan Baxter.
Baxter made a brave save at the feet of Dominic Solanke in the 12th minute as Bournemouth’s top-scorer tried to round the Chelsea loanee.
Solanke should have been celebrating his 20th goal of the season a minute later, but put a free header wide from eight yards.
Baxter came to Hull’s rescue again in the 17th minute, making himself big to keep out a drive from Emiliano Marcondes.
Marcondes was also kept out by a post as the Hull goal continued to lead a charmed life.
It was roles reversed after halftime as Hull showed much more attacking intent.
Keane Lewis-Potter twice came close to breaking the deadlock before Hull got the goal their second half play deserved 13 minutes from time.
Longman cut in from the left before curling a right-footed shot beyond a despairing Mark Travers and into the top corner.
Bournemouth now trail Fulham by eight points and and are only clinging onto second place ahead of Blackburn on goal difference.
Manager Scott Parker blasted the attitude of his team, saying: “There are certain things I want my players to stand for, certain things I stood for as a player and as a man.
“It is a wake-up call for all of us. “The whole second half was mind-boggling after having 15 shots in the first half. The game of football is 90 minutes long and today we only turned up for 45.
“I am not hurt that we lost. I am hurt in the way we lost.” BOURNEMOUTH: Travers 6; Stacey 6, Mepham 6 (Cahill 39, 6), Kelly 7, Davis 6 (Rogers, 84); Lerma 6, Billing 6, Marcondes 6; Lowe 5 (Anthony 66, 6), Solanke 6, Christie 5.
Subs not used: Nyland, Pearson, Hill, Kilkenny.
HULL CITY: Baxter 8; Bernard 7, McLoughlin 7, Greaves 7; Williams 6 (Fleming, 90), Smallwood 6, Docherty 6, Longman 7 (Smith, 87); Honeyman 6; Eaves 7, Lewis-Potter 7.
Subs not used: Ingram, Moncur, Huddlestone, Arthur, Jones. MAN OF THE MATCH: Nathan Baxter. Goalkeeper made a number of good first half saves to keep Hull in it. REFEREE: Matthew Donohue 6.