All action George Honeyman at the heart of Hull City’s promotion push

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Hull City moved to the top of League One with a comfortable 2-0 victory over strugglers Bristol Rovers at the KCOM Stadium.

Although far from his best performance of the season, the Tigers midfielder still came away with an all-important assist to help secure another vital three points and once more underlined his importance to Grant McCann as Hull racked up their third successive win following a disappointing home defeat to Ipswich Town.

McCann hasn’t had it easy from City supporters following their relegation last season and huge expectation to secure automatic promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt. Working under that kind of pressure and coping with the demands of League One, the Hull manager has needed warriors to recover from setbacks and in Honeyman, with 11 assists and three goals, he possesses one of the standout midfielders in the division.

The 26-year-old joined the Tigers in the summer of 2019 for an undisclosed fee, arriving from his hometown club Sunderland after graduating through the club’s academy system.

Making 97 appearances and scoring 15 goals, Honeyman had initially found it a wrench to leave the Wearsiders having spent his career at the Stadium of Light and captaining the club under then-manager Jack Ross. Despite making 44 appearances in Hull’s ill-fated relegation last campaign, the midfielder has really shown his worth for the Tigers this time around.

Against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, the ex-Sunderland man showed why he’s much more than architect and not the type to let a game pass him by when all isn’t plain sailing. There are no signs of arrogance or entitlement with Honeyman. He is the type of player that will make things happen in a game either through a moment of quality on the ball or with his sheer doggedness determination to upset the opposition.

He racked up thirteen winning tackles and only came off second best in three encounters and in one first-half moment as Rovers striker Brandon Hanlon wriggled past a couple of challenges inside the Hull box, the Tigers’ number ten made a key interception to snuff out any danger as the visitors tried to impress themselves on the game.

The long-haired midfielder is all action in many respects but a lot of his key work in the opening half was mainly through retaining possession. Deployed in the advanced midfield role behind the impressive Alfie Jones and Greg Docherty, Honeyman’s intelligent use of the ball in central areas often got Hull moving further up the pitch.

With Joey Barton opting for three central defenders, the 26-year-old could be seen running across the line from right to left as he tried to find pockets of space with his side in possession. His superb delivery into the box in the 33rd minute should have brought the opening goal as Josh Magennis headed wide of the goal.

Thankfully for the home side, they didn’t have to wait too much longer for Gavin Whyte’s opener and should have doubled their lead before the break after more good work from Honeyman, top scorer, Mallik Wilks could only drag the ball wide from a position he’s been so devastating from in recent weeks.

This wasn’t going to be a day however for Hull to slip on a potential banana skin and although the Pirates were pretty toothless in attack, they encompassed the qualities of their new manager in a typical never say die performance.

With little between the teams in the second period, Honeyman’s willingness to gamble and make runs from behind paid dividends on the hour mark. 

Racing away down the right-hand side to reach Wilks’ flick-on, the midfielder advanced into the penalty area. Drawing keeper Joe Day from out of the Rovers goal, Hull’s number ten showed the maturity to roll the ball across to Gavin Whyte for an easy finish when more egocentric of players may have gone for glory themselves.

The moment encapsulated the beauty of George Honeyman in a nutshell; selfless. He’s now been responsible for creating almost a quarter of Hull’s goals scored this season and leads the assists chart in the division.

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With a cushion between the teams, Honeyman’s work wasn’t done and once more his defensive side of the game shone as he helped out teammate Lewie Coyle to keep Rovers at bay, with the pair almost hunting as a pack to press the away side back or into mistakes.

As menacing as the midfielder can be in the tackle, he’s equally shrewd with his gamesmanship. There were moments where the 26-year-old drew free-kicks to quell any opposition momentum and that ability to manage game situations is another of the midfielder’s qualities.

As Rovers grew frustrated, Honeyman was quick to step in and defend goalscorer Whyte with the midfielder going eyeball to eyeball with Luke Leahy on the touchline to pick up a yellow card. If you want anybody in the trenches with you in League One football, Honeyman’s name would be on that list.

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?️ Another assist today – 11 for the season!#hcafc | #theTigers pic.twitter.com/X3dbH6RMBF

— Hull City (@HullCity) March 6, 2021

Withdrawn in the 73rd minute, there was a sense that Grant McCann didn’t want to risk Honeyman any further, choosing to leave him with plenty in the tank for Hull’s visit to Peterborough on Tuesday evening. On a pitch that resembles the local park at the Weston Homes Stadium, Honeyman won’t be concerned. He will be ready and waiting.

Without having to get out of third gear all afternoon, Grant McCann’s call for calm and professional performances was heeded by his players at the KCOM.

“There will be many ups and downs, twists and turns over the next few weeks, but we just have to remain calm and remain focussed on the next game and make sure we perform when it comes along. I’m pleased with the team today.” – Grant McCann

Although City have played two more games than rivals Peterborough and Lincoln, it’s better to have points on the board at this stage in the season. Although promotion won’t be won on Tuesday night, the Tigers will be buoyed by seven goals scored and none conceded in recording three successive wins.

Grant McCann’s search to find greater consistency for the majority of this campaign may well be over.

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