Hull City are on course for a place in the Championship play-offs – but that’s not all they’re eyeing
Oli McBurnie has not given up hope of automatic promotion(Image: Getty Images)
Oli McBurnie insists Hull City aren’t just looking over their shoulders as the Championship play-off race nears a conclusion, they’re also keeping an eye on the teams ahead of them.
Monday night’s 0-0 draw with runaway leaders Coventry City leaves the Tigers fifth in the table with five games to go.
All signs are pointing towards a top six finish, which few would have predicted at the start of the season, but with Millwall and Middlesbrough both dropping points over the Easter weekend, the City striker isn’t calling time on an even better outcome.
Speaking after the stalemate with the Sky Blues the 29-year-old said: “I thought it was a very good Championship game. I would have liked a bit more, a few more chances at the top end, but they’re at the top of the league for a reason, they’re a top team. They’ve been excellent this season.
“Disappointed that we didn’t nick the goal in the end but a clean sheet against the top of the league at home could be important come the end of the season.
“We’ve had that belief all season when maybe others hadn’t about us and we’re looking up as well, you know, it’s tight at the top of the table, a few teams are having a bit of a wobble.
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“So the more points you can get on the board, who knows what’ll happen. A good point [against Coventry], there’s that tinge of disappointment, but something good to build on going into next week.”
Team-mate John Egan echoed those sentiments as the Tigers take pride from restricting Frank Lampard’s champions elect: “Obviously at home we’re pushing for a win all game but they’re a very good side. I thought it was a very good game to play, to be honest.
“We started really well, they had their moments, we had our moments and could have nicked it. But a clean sheet at home against the top of the league, we’ll take it.
“At this stage of the season, it’s about getting points and you want three points but if you can’t win then a point against the top side isn’t the worst thing in the world.
“We’re experienced enough now to know that we can only focus on ourselves, we’ve been there and done it before a couple of times.
“You have to take care of your own points, you can’t be relying on other teams we’re just focusing on ourselves now.
“I’m happy with the performance, I thought we were good and we need to maintain that level of aggression and intensity for the rest of the season.”
City face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this weekend, with Millwall and Boro facing strugglers West Brom and Portsmouth respectively.
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