Source: Team_Talk
Brown blasts Geovanni reaction
Hull are right in the thick of a relegation scrap after Rovers won an eventful Premier League survival tussle 2-1 at the KC Stadium.[LNB]Stephen Warnock and Keith Andrews grabbed the Rovers goals in the space of two minutes late in the first half but there were plenty of other talking points.[LNB]The hosts had Dean Marney sent off for kicking Morten Gamst Pedersen between the legs while Brown suffered the fans' ire after controversially substituting playmaker Geovanni.[LNB]The Brazilian star shook his head when his number was raised and further showed his frustration after taking his seat on the bench.[LNB]Hull pulled a goal back through Ian Ashbee after Pedersen was also dismissed but Rovers held on to cut the gap between the sides to three points.[LNB]"Geovanni is not bigger than this football club, it is as simple as that," said Brown.[LNB]"I don't think he was having a positive impact on the game, hence the first touch when he had an opportunity but didn't even get a shot off.[LNB]"I thought the match-winner on Thursday night was Nicky Barmby and I thought it was an opportunity for him to come on in the same position. As I see it, it was a positive impact he had."[LNB]When asked about Geovanni's reaction to being taken off, Brown added: "He will never do that to me again. It's quite simple, I am the manager."[LNB]Brown said he did not speak to Geovanni in the immediate aftermath of the game because the player was required for a drugs test.[LNB]Brown said sarcastically: "Hopefully they'll find that positive!"[LNB]But when asked if Geovanni still had a part to play this season, Brown added, simply: "Yes."[LNB]Hull have now won just once in 18 Premier League games and, just three points above the relegation zone, Brown admitted the tension was rising.[LNB]He said: "It is the biggest test of character of my career, in terms of a manager, and it probably is for the players.[LNB]"We have got to try to play above ourselves in the last 11 games, it is as simple as that.[LNB]"If we minimise mistakes between now and the end of the season there is a possibility we will be OK but it has to happen now."[LNB]As for the sending off of Marney, Brown said: "I am disappointed about Dean but if you look at the last couple of years it is very uncharacteristic of the lad.[LNB]"It was an uncharacteristic move and he got his comeuppance. There were tears in the changing room after the game but they count for nothing."[LNB]For Sam Allardyce, the relief was obvious.[LNB]It was the former Bolton manager's first away win since taking charge at Ewood Park last December.[LNB]Allardyce said: "We were getting to the stage of must-win football matches, to get three points on the board, none more so than after Middlesbrough's result yesterday, which put a little bit more pressure on us all.[LNB]"Today my players, the way they started, in possession weren't really using the ball correctly but once we got Stephen taking a very good chance, it gave us the confidence to go on.[LNB]"Immediately scoring again from the best move of the game, we always looked very comfortable from there on.[LNB]"We were having to hang on for the last 10 minutes or so but did that tremendously well. In fact we defended tremendously well throughout the game, we dug it out very well."[LNB]Rovers also finished the match with 10 men after Pedersen was dismissed for two bookable offences.[LNB]Allardyce felt the Norwegian's first booking - the foul on Marney which led to his act of petulance - was harsh.[LNB]He said: "I'm glad to say, unlike other games, a referee's decision hasn't cost us today.[LNB]"We have had a number of points taken off us by poor refereeing decisions but that's not been the case today."[LNB][LNB]
