Brown-ed off

16 May 2009 19:07
Bolton 1-1 HullSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] Charlie Nicholas watched Hull climb out of the bottom three, but stumble when they could have taken a giant stride towards Premier League safety against Bolton.[LNB]Phil Brown's side may have battled back to earn what may well be a crucial point, but could have taken all three according to the Soccer Saturday pundit.[LNB]Once Craig Fagan had cancelled out Gretar Steinsson's opener, the Tigers laid siege to the Bolton goal, only to waste chances and come up against an inspired Jussi Jaaskelainen.[LNB]"Phil Brown will be thinking he should be happy because they're out of the bottom three, but they had enough opportunities to win this match," Nicholas told Soccer Saturday.[LNB]"Hull had a great positive attitude. I stuck up for Phil Brown before the game, saying he's tried everything. He's tried variety, certain individuals, he's motivated, tried different systems and he went positive again today.[LNB]"Manucho started, Giovanni was back in, they were lively, Barmby was lively as was Fagan again. [LNB]"And Marney came on had the chance of a lifetime. It was a shot from Giovanni that was spilled, he stumbled onto it, rounded the goalie and he actually knocks it across goal when he should be hitting the target."[LNB]Nicholas also felt that Hull were found wanting at the other end of the field.[LNB]He blamed keeper Boaz Myhill for Stensson's opener as Hull now face a do-or-die showdown with newly-crowned champions Manchester United on the final day.[LNB]"In my opinion, Myhill should've done better with the strike; it had good power and it is going towards the corner but he gets a hand to it - his right hand," he said.[LNB]"If he gets his strong hand to it, he can turn it round (the post) and the top goalkeepers do that sort of thing regularly. But he was good after that.[LNB]"After that Hull hit the bar and post and Jaaskelainen, every tine I see him he puts in a world-class performance. Every time I see him I think 'why don't Arsenal sign him?', because he pulls of big, big saves at the right stage."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports