Burton Albion v Hull City - Tigers’ attitude delights Grant McCann

With his side flying high in the League One standings, Grant McCann has described coaching Hull City’s current crop as a “privilege”.
Hull City manager Grant McCannHull City manager Grant McCann
Hull City manager Grant McCann

The Tigers were relegated from the Championship in spectacularly horrific fashion last term, losing 14 of their final 18 matches having spent the first half of the campaign challenging for a play-off spot.

But, they now look a different animal from the one which surrendered its second-tier status so meekly, and head to bottom-of-the-table Burton Albion this afternoon aiming to re-claim top spot from Lincoln City.

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Having worked so hard to right the wrongs of 2019/20 over the last six months, McCann is now starting to see the fruits of his labour.

“The desire is definitely here, we’ve got a tremendous changing room, a tremendous group of players who just want to win, and you can see that every single day on the training ground,” City’s head coach said.

“Whatever we do, if it’s a small-sided game, a finishing drill, or some sprints, the boys are just wanting to win and that’s one really pleasing thing about this season, the attitude, the togetherness and the appetite to win.

“It’s a privilege to come in to work every day, to help them along on their journey, but also to have that winning feeling.”

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Quite naturally, City’s collective improvement has coincided with the individual progression of the majority of their squad, players both old and new flourishing in a successful environment.

And, this evolution is something else which McCann is currently enjoying.

“I think there’s a lot of people improving, that’s always a pleasing aspect of the job when you get players getting better in terms of their performances,” he added.

“Younger players and even a lot of the senior players are enjoying the challenge at this present time, so as a manager, as a coach, that’s always a pleasing aspect.

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“Everything takes time. It’s about a player understanding their role and what we expect of them and us understanding what ticks their boxes. It’s about the human side as well.

“It’s a balancing act, but when the players are happy they will perform and we’ve got a lot in a good head space right now, so they’re performing week in, week out.

“We just want to continue that, because if we do then we’ll be in a good place to achieve our goals.”

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