Hull City players have responded well to Charlton Athletic loss, insists Grant McCann

A 1-0 loss on home soil leaves the Tigers without a victory in 12 league games, and dropped them beneath their visitors and into the Championship relegation zone.

Saturday’s fixture was City’s first of a competitive nature since 2019/20 was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but saw them pick up where they left off before their enforced break.

For all McCann’s positive pre-match talk of a squad refreshed following more than two months off, his players failed to deliver in what was really a must-not-lose clash against one of their relegation rivals.

Thus, a result away at 16th-placed Birmingham City this weekend is desperately needed, and exactly what the Tigers are setting their sights on.

“It’s been a positive week," McCann said.

"Like I’ve said before, win, lose or draw, we come in and we work and plan towards the next game. The players have been great, they’ve reacted well.

“Obviously we are all disappointed to lose the game in the fashion we did last week - off a set-play.

“But, we’ve worked hard this week and want to try and go and respond at Birmingham.

“Every game is important. We’ve got eight big games left. They are running out but we want to make sure we have a positive reaction. That’s the most important thing."