‘People think we’re relegated already, but there’s a long way to go’: Grant McCann

‘WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERY GAME’: Grant McCann. Picture credit: Hull City

Hull City will face Birmingham City on Saturday aiming to confound expectations by securing their first back-to-back win of the season.

The Tigers went into the international break buoyed by a 2-0 win at Yorkshire rivals Barnsley last time out, and on the back of what manager Grant McCann said was a good, solid performance in a narrow 1-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion days earlier.

But City will welcome Lee Bowyer’s Blues to the MKM Stadium with many having already written off their chances of staying in the Sky Bet Championship, McCann said today.

“In many people’s eyes we’re relegated already,” the Tigers boss told a pre-match press conference.

He was responding to a question from BBC Radio Humberside’s Gwilym Lloyd on how much of a relief it would be to potentially climb out of the bottom three with a win on Saturday.

City are third-bottom in the division with 12 points from 17 games, and face a mid-table Birmingham who have 22 points from 17.

McCann said: “I think there’s a long way to go, Gwilym. In many people’s eyes we’re relegated already. So for us we’ve got a long way to go, many games to play, and we’re looking forward to every game as they come along.

“All this does for us, this game on Saturday, is give us an opportunity to take another three points, and that’s the mindset we’ve got.”

LONG JOURNEY: Australia international Callum Elder

In terms of selection, two decisions have already been made for McCann in both full-back berths, with Josh Emmanuel coming in as a straight swap for the injured Lewie Coyle on the right, and Callum Elder set to start as the only fit left-back.

McCann said he was not concerned by the Australia player’s round-the-world trip on international duty, which only saw Elder arrive back in the UK on Wednesday night.

Choosing between Emmanuel and Coyle is probably his “biggest decision” when both are fit, McCann said.

Coyle will be out for “weeks” after suffering ankle ligament damage in the win at Oakwell. Video replays showed he “rolled” his ankle after being kicked, his manager said.

McCann said having experienced midfielder George Honeyman back in the side was “massive”, and his influence had been sorely missed the 11 games he has been unable to feature in through injury.

The City boss said he is an admirer of Bowyer’s after the pair spent time together at West Ham early in McCann’s playing career.

He expects the visitors to be physical, well-drilled, and strong on set-pieces with a “thirty to forty-yard” throw-in.

“We like a challenge and there’s players in our team who don’t shirk challenges,” McCann said. “We don’t mind the physical part of the game. If we can stand up to that on Saturday against Birmingham, then we need to get the ball on the floor and try and hurt them. I think it’s going to be a good game.”