Hull boss McCann ready for tough battle against 'very aggressive' Cobblers

Hull City manager Grant McCann has warned his side they must be up for the fight against a 'very aggressive' Cobblers team in Saturday's Sky Bet League One fixture.

The Tigers endured a miserable second half of last season, culminating in their relegation from the Championship, but they've made a good start to the new campaign with wins over Gillingham and Crewe.

But McCann will not take Northampton lightly as he targets a third straight league win, telling the club's website: “Northampton are very aggressive, on the front foot.

“Their formation is hard to play against and they’re happy to defend one v one and two v two. I think it’s going to be a very exciting game.

"Keith is a very good manager and he’s done a tremendous job at Northampton. We know it’s going to be a very tough game.

“Like any team that gets promoted, they’re used to winning. The togetherness is there. You almost feel invincible each week when you go and play against other teams because you know how to win.

“You’ve got to be ready for the challenge, ready to stand up and fight, win first and second balls. Hopefully we can give them a good game and come away with the three points.”

Hull were pushed all the way by another promoted team last weekend but Mallik Wilks scored eight minutes from time to sink Crewe and make it two wins from two.

“Confidence is a big thing in football,” added McCann. “Winning the first four games – we won two on penalties but we still got through in the cup games – has given the boys a bit of self-belief.

“They’re looking forward to every game that comes. Every game is so different in this division. You saw two different types of games in Gillingham and Crewe, and again, on Saturday at Northampton, it’s going to be a completely different game.

“The boys understand this league is very, very tough but the confidence is good at the minute."