Alfie Jones says mentality at Hull City has changed after relegation

As his team prepare to build on their opening-day league win, ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup trip to West Ham United, Alfie Jones says they have put their bottom-placed finish behind them.

Centre-back Jones is one of seven additions this summer but there has been no hangover from the players who finished bottom of their division in late July. Manager Grant McCann has struck a positive note since the squad returned for 2020-21 and it has been reflected in the confidence of their play and more importantly their results.

Although they needed penalties to knock Leeds United out of the League Cup, they ought not to have, outplaying the Whites and leading for nearly 90 minutes until Ezgjan Alioski’s stoppage-time equaliser.

“I think the mentality’s changed now,” said 22-year-old Jones, signed from Southampton. “Last season’s done and dusted and we’re just looking forward to this season.

“Mentally, the boys are strong. We knew it would be a tough season but it’s a quality group and we all have confidence in each other.”

Having been let down midway through last season when Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki were sold on January’s deadline day without the opportunity to properly replace them, McCann has been better supported this summer, not only with the number of players he has been able to bring in but also those he has been allowed to retain.

“We kept the players we wanted to keep because we know they’re good characters and good people but they’re also good players,” he stressed.

Their more positive mindset is already paying dividends.

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