Hull City v Crewe - New recruits impress Grant McCann

Having ended last season with a run of six consecutive defeats as they were relegated from the Championship, the Tigers have emerged triumphant from three of their opening four 2020/21 fixtures.

Two-nil victors on the road at Gillingham last weekend, City followed that result up by beating Premier League Leeds United on penalties in the Carabao Cup, winning back-to-back matches for the first time since the first week of January.

And McCann believes that his team’s encouraging start owes much to the impact of Richie Smallwood, Greg Docherty, Lewis Emmanuel, Lewie Coyle and Thomas Mayer, all of whom have made positive contributions over the last seven days.

“The new signings have been good. They’ve come in and made a real mark quite early, stamped their authority in and around the place,” the Northern Irishman said.

“Richie has been at the heart of that. Obviously, making him the captain changed the dynamics of the group because he’s been there and done it. He’s been promoted from this league twice and knows what it takes.

“Having him and the likes of Lewie – who is another good character – about the place has helped some of the younger ones.

“I’ve been really impressed with the recruitment and we’ve got to make sure that when we bring the next ones in that they do add to it – and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

City’s chance to make it three wins on the bounce comes at home to Crewe Alexandra this afternoon.

And the Tigers head into the contest boasting almost a clean bill of health, with only striker Tom Eaves set to miss out.