Opposition view: Hull boss McCann 'surprised' by Cobblers during one-sided victory

Hull City manager Grant McCann admitted he was 'surprised' by Jon Brady s change of formation for Monday's 3-0 victory over Northampton at the KCOM Stadium.

Brady had played four at the back in every game since taking charge of the Cobblers in February but he restored Alan Sheehan to the side on Monday and went with a three-man defence.

Whatever his thinking, though, it didn't pay off as Callum Elder, Keane Lewis-Potter and Gavin Whyte scored in a routine home win for the table-toppers.

“It was a very professional performance,” said McCann, who felt Brady's tactical tweak played into his side's hands. “The performance was good and the result was even better. To score three goals and keep a clean sheet was impressive from the boys and I’m pleased with the day as a whole.

“Northampton threw a bit of a surprise at us with their team-sheet. They’d been playing a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 since their new manager came in but they went with three centre-halves today and that meant our front three could get at their back three, and that we could press them high up the field.

“It also meant that we could get the ball out to Callum Elder and Lewie Coyle and they were excellent for the whole game. They started every attack for us, they had acres of space to run into and they have real pace – the Northampton forwards were trying to chase them back but couldn’t catch them.

“All around the field I felt the boys were spot on with what they did. They’ve delivered another calm, controlled and professional performance and it's three points and on to the next one.”