MK Dons v Hull City - George Honeyman relishing midfield freedom at Tigers

Having finally got his chance following a summer switch from Sunderland, the midfielder was one of very few Tigers players to emerge from the club’s post-lockdown implosion with any kind of credit.

He may well have been unable to save City from relegation to League One, but the 26-year-old has picked up where he left off this term, and if anything is playing even better football – something he himself attributes to a better balance in Grant McCann’s midfield.

In Honeyman’s own opinion, the fact that he has already contributed five assists and two goals owes much to the arrival of Richie Smallwood, and freedom that his captain’s presence allows him.

“I’ve obviously really enjoyed playing with Richie and Doc [Greg Docherty],” Honeyman said.

“I think it’s huge for my style of play to have that assurance of Richie behind me, someone who sort of sweeps up and really steadies the ship.

“If you’re gonna play the 4-3-3, that’s what you want your sitter to do, and he’s done it amazingly since he came in. He’s the rock in the team, and is an absolute dream for me and Doc.

“Having Richie there gives us license to go and join in with attacks and try and be creative at the top end of the pitch, so I can’t speak highly enough of how good that makes me feel on the pitch to have someone like Richie in the midfield – and Doc as well.

“Doc is pretty similar to me in that we like to get up and down the pitch and we have a good connection on and off the field which makes a big difference,” he added.

Honeyman and his City team-mates travel to MK Dons on Saturday, second in the League One standings and knowing that a victory will take them back to the top of the pile should leaders Peterborough fail to beat Blackpool.

Despite currently sitting just 14th, the Dons are in decent form themselves and are unbeaten in four matches in the league having won 2-1 at Sunderland last time out.

The good news for Hull, however, is that they will be at full-strength this weekend.

“We seem to have a fully fit squad, which is pleasing,” head coach Grant McCann said.

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