Oli McBurnie’s last Hull City goal came in February
Oli McBurnie cut a frustrated figure at the Kassam Stadium(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Pundit Kevin Phillips believes Hull City forward Oli McBurnie could benefit from being given a rest by Sergej Jakirovic.
McBurnie remains City’s top goalscorer this season, having bagged 14 goals in all competitions, including one in the EFL Cup.
However, the Scotland international has now gone eight games without a goal, with his last effort coming in the draw against Derby County back in February.
McBurnie continues to play a leading role for the Tigers with his presence at the top of the field being key to way Jakirovic’s side play.
Phillips, though, believes the time might be right for the striker to come out of the side for a week, with the former Sunderland man believing McBurnie could be better for a break.
“From Kyle Joseph’s point of view, he’ll be so frustrated when he’s sitting there watching the striker not score a goal,” Phillips told BestBettingSites.co.uk.
“Normally, managers go four or five games maximum if a player doesn’t score, and they tend to bring them out, give them a rest and let them watch from the side and give someone else an opportunity. He’s clearly doing something that the manager likes.
“But from the player’s point of view, it might be frustrating. The only thing is, when you haven’t scored for a while, you just try a little bit too hard, you run around, and you lose your discipline a little bit.
“So after eight games, if I were a manager, I’d probably pull him in and say, ‘look, I’m going to rest you tomorrow’. Sometimes it’s better looking from the outside in than the inside out. Sometimes coming out and sitting on a bench and watching can really help.
“That might just help Oli McBurnie at this stage of the season, bring him out for one and then chuck him straight back in. You could get a response. I’m backing Kyle Joseph, but it might be time to give him a shout.”