Hull City v Shrewsbury Town - Grant McCann expects tough Shrews test

This afternoon’s clash between Hull City and Shrewsbury Town may pit League One’s pace-setters against the side currently second-from-bottom of the table, but Grant McCann doesn’t expect his opposite number to turn up and park the proverbial bus at the KCOM Stadium.
Hull City manager Grant McCann. Picture: PA.Hull City manager Grant McCann. Picture: PA.
Hull City manager Grant McCann. Picture: PA.

Having worked under Steve Cotterill during his playing career, the Northern Irishman is certain that the struggling Shrews will arrive in East Yorkshire eyeing all three points.

Asked if he expects this weekend’s opponents to set up with numbers behind the ball as other teams have opted to do against his title-chasing Tigers this term, McCann replied: “Absolutely not. That’s not the way Steve’s teams set out. They’ll be coming to win. Make no mistake about that. 

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“From the outside looking in, people will think ‘it’s first against second-bottom’, but they’ve got a manager in there now, who is very, very experienced. I know him very, very well.

“He brought me to Cheltenham [in 2000], signed me from West Ham on loan and he’s a winner. He’s an out-and-out winner. I saw that the first day I signed for Cheltenham. 

“I learned very quickly from Steve that you have to be at it every single day, and I’ve no doubt that he will be demanding the same of this Shrewsbury team.

“They’re an experienced team full of experienced professionals and we know that we have to perform to win the game on Saturday. We have to be at our best to get the three points.”

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However the Shrews set up, they will likely have their work cut out trying to find a way to stop free-scoring City.

Mallik Wilks leads the way with eight goals so far this term, but he has been outshone in recent weeks by fellow attackers Josh Magennis (five in his last five) and Tom Eaves (three in five).

For McCann, having so many of his forward players in form is just “lovely”.

“It’s brilliant to have so many contributing and we still think there’s more to come from them as well,” he added.

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“It’s about getting them into positions where they can score goals.

“Hopefully that’s down to the way we play.

“We’re getting opportunities and it’s nice to see.

“It’s great that they’re all scoring goals up there. It’s lovely.”

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