Change of mindset key to Hull City’s revival – Grant McCann

The Tigers were relegated from the Championship in spectacularly horrific fashion last term, winning just once in a 20-game sequence that saw them beaten 16 times, conceding 63 goals in the process.

A hangover seemed inevitable, particularly given the uneasy off-field situation between supporters and the club’s owners – the Allam family – yet Grant McCann’s men have made a flawless start to life in League One.

In addition to getting the better of Leeds United and Sunderland in the Carabao Cup, City have won all three of their opening trio of league fixtures. What’s more, that porous defence from the campaign previous is still yet to be breached.

Few would have predicted that Hull would have adjusted to demotion so well, though McCann insists that he hasn’t been left shocked by the victories he has witnessed over Gillingham, Crewe and Northampton thus far.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised, because I know what we’ve got in the group,” he said.

“There’s a real determination to turn around what happened last season and the boys are showing that every single day when they train. The intensity in training is going through the roof. The distances, the numbers, the stats that sports science are showing me are incredible.

“We’ve changed the mindset, changed the culture, we’ve forgotten about what happened [last season] and we’re focusing on the future. That’s how we’ve done it.

“When you’re winning, you’re confident and we want to try and keep on that curve.”

Nine points from nine have City sitting pretty in third place ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Plymouth Argyle, however McCann is adamant that nobody within his camp will be getting too carried away.

“We’re pleased with the start, of course we are, but it’s only a start, we’ve got to keep our foot on the pedal,” he added.

“There ain’t no complacency knocking around here. The boys have set the standard and the next challenge is Plymouth.

“It’s a very, very tough game and we’ve got to make sure we have the same mindset as in the last three matches.”

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James Mitchinson