'Manager on the pitch' - Hull City star John Egan singled out by Curtis Davies as Tigers defence hailed
Hull City’s defensive work has drawn praise from two ex-Premier League players
Former Hull City star Curtis Davies has described John Egan as the “manager on the pitch” for his old employers.
Hull have made an impressive start to the Premier League season, accumulating seven points across their first three games and keeping clean sheets in each of them.
Their defensive work has been particularly stellar, drawing praise from a vast array of pundits.
Curtis Davies salutes Hull City defence
Davies, who represented Hull between 2014 and 2017. was on duty analysing their goalless draw with Aston Villa. He was full of praise for the sturdy Tigers backline and highlighted the leadership role played by former Sheffield United stalwart Egan.
The 41-year-old said: “John Egan is the manager on the pitch. He talks to everyone and makes sure everyone is in the right positions.
“It is the defensive line in terms of the back five, but it's also that four in front. You see the way they work, see the way they all work for each other.
“I think when you're a promoted side, you know the strength is in the group. There's going to be no individual that's going to make you win things or cost you.
“So as a group, if you can get that togetherness and that unity that they have in their defensive work, it's going to go a long, long way this season.”
Praise from Ashley Young
Praise for Hull’s defensive solidity was echoed in the studio by former Manchester United star Ashley Young.
He said: “It's vitally important. If you want to build in this Premier League, you've got to have a solid back four, back five. They started it last season. The play-offs, they changed to the back five, so they knew what they were doing. Like John Egan said there, this is something that's worked on daily in training.
“You do it in training. At times it can be boring, but when you get three clean sheets, it pays off and that's exactly what it’s been doing.”