Fleetwood Town v Hull City - Grant McCann not surprised with Tigers’ perfect start

Grant McCann, not for the first time in his managerial career, opted for a change of scenery on a close-season training camp far away from prying eyes and spent some quality time with his players – while outlining what he expected of them individually and collectively over the campaign.

In his time at Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers, the pre-season venue was a bit more sun-kissed at the Spanish resort of La Manga where standards and house rules were set ahead of a high-yield 2018-19 season which saw Rovers just miss out on promotion.

It is on the Fylde coast where the next barometer of McCann’s current side’s progress will take place in front of the TV cameras.

In anyone’s book, four successive wins at the start of a season is impressive. When you consider the way in which Hull haemorrhaged hope, belief and goals when they entered freefall in a desperate second half of last term, it is outstanding.

The pace of the Tigers’ development has surprised McCann, if not their start. But he plainly wants more and expects more.

The Hull chief said: “I am not really surprised as I know what we have got in the building and how hard me and my staff work.

“What has really pleased me is how quickly it has happened in a short space of time.

“That is probably the best thing about it. We were always confident that with the squad we have got that we could hopefully have a push this year and that is what we are aiming for and recruited for.”

On his side’s strong mentality so far this season, he continued: “I think that is down to the characters we have kept and boys we have recruited and then it has just blended together.

“The week we had up in Edinburgh was really important to bring everyone together and let them understand what we are trying to do this year and create that culture and that winning environment. It has been pleasing.”

Testament to City’s newly-found resolve is the fact that history beckons tonight. Should they keep a clean sheet, it will equal a club league record of five on the trot set way back in 1925.

As someone who has previously managed and played for one of the most free-scoring sides in the lower division in Peterborough United, McCann is the first to admit that he does not necessarily put a premium on shutting out opponents. He would take another clean-sheet, nevertheless.

He added: “It would be a great achievement. It is something we wanted to be better at in terms of being more resolute at defending. (But) It is not something we set out to do all the time, we want to try and score goals.

“We know if we press from the front, the more opportunities we get and I think you have seen in the four games we could have scored a lot more goals.

“It is not in my DNA to say: ‘Right, let’s go out and keep a clean sheet.’ It is ‘let’s go and see how many goals we can score”.

McCann is more unequivocal about another of the big reasons for Hull’s flying start. Namely, the quality of those on the bench who currently cannot get in.

They include ex-Fleetwood player Lewie Coyle, who is being forced to bide his time due to the stellar form of Josh Emmanuel.

McCann said: “He is a breath of fresh air and so is Lewie, who probably cannot imagine what is happening at the minute.

“He has come into play and he is just not getting anywhere near the team at the minute because of Josh’s performances. But Lewie is top-class as well and both are chomping at the bit to play.

“Lewie is a top pro and the way he trains every day is outstanding and he is pushing Josh every second of the every day and Josh knows he has got to stay on his toes. We have a group who push each other every day.

“I have spoken to Lewie a little bit about how they (Fleetwood) play and set up.

“But the one thing about them is they can change and mix it up a bit. They have a style that is very hard to pin, but they want to play the right way.”

Victory on their first-ever visit to the Highbury Stadium would move Hull three points clear at the summit. Should that happen, there will be a couple of other sweeteners for McCann.

He acknowledged: “We disappointed on the TV last year. I think we had one 4-4 draw against Swansea which was okay. But apart from that, we were disappointing and that is one hoodoo we want to try and overcome.

“I have never had good experiences there (Fleetwood) really. I think I have only ever won once there as a manager and never as a player. It is a tough place to go especially on a Friday night with the wind swirling.

“It will be a culture shock for some of our boys after playing in the Championship last year. But this is League One for you.”

Last six games: Fleetwood WLLLLW; Hull WDWLWW.

Referee: O Yates (Staffs).

Last time: The two clubs have never met.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you, James Mitchinson. Editor.