Source: SKY_Sports
Boateng - Don't blame Brown
George Boateng does not believe Phil Brown should be criticised for his team-talk at Manchester City if Hull City lose their relegation fight.
The Tigers had been trailing 4-0 at half-time against Man City on Boxing Day when Brown decided to speak with his players on the pitch in front of the travelling supporters, rather than in the privacy of the dressing room.
Hull have continued to struggle since the turn of the year and are just one point above the drop zone ahead of their final game of the season against Manchester United.
Boateng admits he was surprised by Brown's tactics at Man City and feels the incident may have had a slight affect for a couple of games.
But the midfielder does not believe it should be regarded as a key turning point and has given his backing to manager Brown.
He thinks the players must shoulder their share of the blame following a dismal run of results.
"I am not going to lie. It was my first experience of having a meeting on the field at half-time, and I have been in the Premier League for a decade," the former Middlesbrough man told Sky Sports News.
"I was very disappointed, not only because of the situation but also my own performance.
"It only affected us for a couple of games but because we didn't get a much-needed win or point, losing started to become a habit.
"Slowly your confidence starts getting less and less, and then it is very difficult to get a win.
"But I hope that, whatever happens on Sunday, people don't use that as an excuse to criticise Phil Brown.
"We have had 20 matches after that and surely, as a team, you would think that cannot affect you."
