Craig Fagan, who was part of the Hull City team that won promotion to the Premier League in 2008, has delivered his verdict on Oli McBurnie’s start to the season
Oli McBurnie in action for Hull City(Image: Getty Images)
Ex-Hull City forward Craig Fagan has backed Oli McBurnie to rediscover his “confidence” and goalscoring form following a difficult start to the season.
McBurnie has failed to score in each of his five Premier League appearances so far this season, despite having 10 shots and an expected goals (xG) of 1.23. He has missed some big chances, including one near the end of the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa, where he hit a shot wide from close-range.
But the Scotland international, who netted 19 goals in 42 matches during Hull’s promotion-winning campaign, is pivotal to Sergej Jakirovic’s set-up and has done so much good work for the team, having grabbed an assist in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea. He uses his 6ft 2in frame to hold up the ball, win aerial duels, and bring runners into play.
Delivering his verdict on McBurnie, City hero Fagan believes it’s only a matter of time before he opens his account for the season, and hailed the work-rate and “attributes” he gives the team.
Speaking to Hull Live, McBurnie said: “To be honest, I’d love to play with him. My legs are gone now. I wish I could roll back the years of being a team he was in. He gives everything he’s got for the team. He’s pivotal to everything the club does at the moment, he knows what he is, he is aggressive, he makes it harder for defenders.
“Even for the first game against Manchester United, he caused problems. He created the goals by being in areas. Some of the attributes he’s got are similar to mine, but he’s a better player than me.
“In terms of his work rate, his effort, he puts himself on the line. He can play, he is good with the football. I was disappointed in him not being involved with the [Scotland] World Cup squad because of the amount of goals he scored last season. He should have been involved, but that made him hungrier for this season.
“Yes, he’s been involved in this international break, but it made him hungrier for the start of this season. He’s had rest over the summer. He’s a player that’s pivotal for the club. I enjoy everything he does and I hope he gets on the scoresheet soon because his goals are going to be important. Even though he is creating for others, him scoring goals as well will only be more of a threat for the football club.”
“I think he’ll be fine,” Fagan added. “Like I said, if one goes in, he’ll be a different player, riding on confidence. But do you know one thing with him? He’s always going to give his all each game.”
“At the moment, that’s the reason why he’s still staying in the team,” Fagan continued, when asked about McBurnie’s work-rate and the role he has in the team. “Sometimes, managers, if they’re not scoring, they’ll want to change their forwards, but there’s no hesitation at the moment.
“The all that he brings for the team, the way the team-mates understand what he does for them, he’ll be a constant threat in this Hull City team. No doubt.”
Hull have enjoyed an impressive start on their return to the Premier League. They have picked up eight points from their opening five games, winning two, drawing two and losing one.
Next up for City is Everton at the MKM Stadium on Sunday, the first of three home matches in five. They also host Brentford and Ipswich Town in that run, with away matches against Fulham and Arsenal to come.
Analysing how important the next block of matches are, with three coming at home, Fagan finished: The home form is massive. I know that the fans are really passionate up there, especially seeing Premier League football. It’s a good atmosphere. Hopefully, the fans get to see the old ‘mauled by the Tigers’, which has been going around the country at the moment.
“But that was going on when I was even there, so it’s only social media that’s really kicked that into force now. But they do get behind the fans. They’re excited, like I say, to see the Premier League. And it can be an eye-opener sometimes for some of the teams coming because I imagine it’s not the biggest of stadiums, 25,000.
“It’s not the biggest in the Premier League. Do some teams think they’re going to go there and it’d be easy? Maybe. So, yes, home form’s important on the front foot, like they did against Man United, and nick points at home and they give themselves a great chance to stay in the league.”