Hull City v Fleetwood Town – Winning mentality key for Tigers whatever the occasion

The midfielder captained Sunderland at a sold-out Wembley in the 2019 final and his Tigers side host Fleetwood Town in this evening’s 5.30pm kick-off just three wins away from a return.

Honeyman says taking the cup competitions seriously has been a big part in Hull’s recovery from relegation last season.

“Once you start getting to the stages we’re at now, Wembley is very much in touching distance,” says the 26-year-old, whose final game before moving to East Yorkshire was also at Wembley, in the 2019 League One play-offs.

“When we went to the final it was against another big club in Portsmouth so there was 90,000 there, 45,000 of each, and there are no other competitions you get that because of all the corporate tickets in stuff like the FA Cup final.

“It was pretty surreal, an unbelievable day and hopefully days like that aren’t too far away in terms of fans (returning).

“We’ve got to create a winning mentality at the club and no matter what team the manager sends out it’s the same mentality to go out there and win. The lads have been great in the competition so far and once you get into the knockout stages it starts getting people’s attention.”

Hull coach Grant McCann has been adamant from the start of the season he wanted a good cup run, and the positive approach has fed into their League One promotion push.

“It definitely could have been a different slant if we had been beaten by Sunderland (in the League Cup first round), if we hadn’t had those games against Leeds and West Ham,” says Honeyman. “All of a sudden we were on the front foot straight away.

“We beat Sunderland on penalties, then we beat Leeds on penalties but it was one of our best performances of the season and it just instils confidence.

“When you’ve got 25 or 26 players all capable of playing for this club, the lads need games as well so it keeps training motivated, it keeps everyone happy. That’s the way the manager’s used it and it’s been a case of so far, so good.

“Everyone who’s been involved so far has done a great job.”

There will therefore be changes tonight, although there could be fewer than normal because of Hull’s recent lack of football.

“Our gaffer’s got immense trust in the squad whoever plays,” argues Honeyman, yet to play in his season’s competition.

“That’s been seen in the games when you look at the size of our squad and who he’s picked to play in it.

“I’d be very surprised if anyone goes into these games and purposely throws them but I think this competition is very under-estimated. Footballers want to win football games no matter what the cup.

“As soon as you get on the pitch you forget if it’s the cup or the league, you just want to win that game. The more often you do that, the easier it becomes.

“Growing that feeling in a club is maybe slightly under-rated.”

McCann is still looking to add to his squad this month, revealing recently that vice-chairman Ehab Allam was “open to” paying a transfer fee for one of his targets.

Winger Jordan Flores has also been linked after being released by Dundalk and Honeyman hopes McCann is able to bring new players in.

“Your career’s not long enough to be at a club that’s happy where it is, you want to keep pushing as hard as you can, climb up the leagues and get through the cups,” he argues.

“Everyone wants a medal or to play as high as they can, that’s why we’re footballers. You don’t just play to tick off another game and finish in mid-table, that’s not exciting or what you want to be involved in.”

Last six games: Hull City DWLLLD; Fleetwood Town DDWWWL

Referee: R Joyce (Teesside)

Last time: Hull City 2 Fleetwood Town 0, November 7, 2020, FA Cup.

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