New Tigers forwards satisfy Brown

23 August 2009 09:31
Altidore came off the bench to set up a winning goal for Ghilas with his first touch in a scrappy Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium on Saturday. The 1-0 victory was Hull's first win in 12 games and their first at home since last December. It was USA striker Altidore's first appearance for the Tigers after red tape held up his return from international duty last week. "It has been a tale of two weeks, that substitution," said Brown. "The kid got back into London from an all-night flight from the USA Friday morning, 6 o'clock. We then flew him up to the KC by helicopter. "I looked at the whites of his eyes, asked if he was fit to play and the answer was fantastic. He was raring to go. "It was a calculated risk that we didn't start him." Ghilas started the game in midfield in one of four changes made by Brown following the 5-1 midweek thrashing by Tottenham. The Algerian, signed from Celta Vigo after previously attracting interest from Blackburn, then moved up front to join Altidore after the American, on loan from Villarreal, replaced Caleb Folan. Brown said: "Caleb Folan softened them up by putting a shift in for 60 minutes and allowed Altidore and Ghilas to get the headlines. "Ghilas looked bright, sharp and hungry. He certainly looked like he had a goal in him and that's what I'm after. "Fortunately he failed a fitness test at Blackburn, by all accounts, and I'm glad he did." The win brought welcome relief for Hull after the dismal end to their last campaign and defeats in the season openers to Chelsea and Spurs. Brown said: "The two teams we have played so far are world-class teams, they will be winning trophies no doubt. "As far as we were concerned today was all about starting our season and we have. "I wasn't too impressed by the first-half performance but in the second we got hold of the game and could have won it comfortably. "But 1-0 is a lovely scoreline, I'll take it any day." Hull had been second best until Altidore's introduction, with Bolton dominating possession and having the better chances. Record signing Johan Elmander missed a glorious opportunity with less than two minutes gone and captain Kevin Davies had a frustrating day in front of goal. Manager Gary Megson said: "If you have 18 efforts at goal and you've not managed to score, you don't have to scratch your head, you know why it has happened. "I thought we were terrific but we didn't score and if you don't score you don't get the results you are after. "Whilst the game was going as it was you are always susceptible to one lapse, which is what happened. "We bossed it from that point onwards but in trying to get the equaliser we took some risks and Hull probably had a couple of opportunities they could also have scored from. "They wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for the goal. That just shows the importance of scoring the first goal. "To be honest we should have been out of sight after 30 minutes." Brown added that he is speaking to two players tomorrow with a view to possible transfers. Bosnian right-back Sanel Jahic, who had a trial at the club last week, will also return to play a reserve game in midweek ahead of a potential deal.

Source: Team_Talk