Source: Daily_Mail
Hull boss Brown heaps praise on 'un-Brazilian' Geovanni
Under-pressure Phil Brown has suffered fall-outs with players during his three-year tenure as Hull manager. But one of the players he has previously clashed with is now being singled out for praise by Brown as the Hull boss looks to save his job.[LNB]Geovanni has turned from villain to hero in the eyes of Brown, even though the Brazilian was sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Burnley.[LNB]Geovanni famously reacted angrily to Brown substituting him in a home game against Blackburn last season, leading Brown to comment that he hoped his player failed a drugs test[LNB] Temper tantrum: Geovanni reacts angrily to being substituted last season[LNB]But now Geovanni appears to be setting an example to his team-mates and doing his best to keep Brown in a job. The former Barcelona midfielder was playing in a far deeper role than normal at Turf Moor but he happily did the dirty work that he once used to shy away from.[LNB]Brown feels Geovanni answered critics with his display on Saturday. He could have forced the Tigers back into the game when, trailing 1-0, he curled in a free-kick that was controversially disallowed. [LNB]Minutes later, and after receiving a first caution for his remonstrations at the chalked-off goal, the player was given a second yellow card for lunging in on Steven Fletcher.[LNB]Brown excused him for that indiscretion, pointing out that his overall contribution was impressive. [LNB] Disallowed: Geovanni's sumptuous free-kick was chalked off[LNB]The Hull manager said: 'People do question the little Brazilian because of temperament. People do question the Brazilian because, when it gets a little bit colder, everyone thinks he disappears.[LNB]'But you've seen him in central midfield, which was foreign to him - excuse the pun with Brazil - but he's tackled everything, passed everything, dribbled and got himself a great goal. The 'goal' was Brazilian type football but the rest of it wasn't Brazilian type football, it was Hull City football - grit, determination.' [LNB]He thinks that the effort being shown by players will help the Yorkshire side to turn their fortunes around. 'With that kind of commitment, there's no doubt in my mind that the luck will come,' said the former Bolton assistant manager, before jokingly making reference to his ridiculed remark last week about his players being 'a million per cent' behind him. [LNB]'If you are after a million per cent performance, I think you got one.' [LNB]Friends: Geovanni (left) is consoled by Brown[LNB]Geovanni's heroics at the start of last season - including wonder goals that inspired Hull to wins at Arsenal and Tottenham - earned him plaudits. But Brown often left him on the bench as the season progressed because the player did not fit into his tactical plans. [LNB]The Brazilian was more of a luxury player rather than the grafter that his manager wanted. Now Geovanni seems to be changing that perception.[LNB]Meanwhile, midfielder Nick Barmby has welcomed Adam Pearson's imminent arrival as chairman. [LNB]Barmby said: 'The journey that we're on, Adam started all of this. He set the foundations and we're pleased to see Adam back. He's a fantastic guy, well-respected and a fantastic chairman. But we're the ones that go out on the pitch and need to get the results.'[LNB]The former England midfielder also said the players owe it to their manager to keep him in his job.[LNB]'He's been in the game for a long time,' said Barmby. 'He's got broad shoulders and he can take a lot of the stick but it's down to us to get the results to keep Phil in the job because what he's done for this club is amazing.'[LNB] Brown but not out: 'My players are still behind me,' declares Hull City bossBurnley 2 Hull 0: Alexander at the double to heap pressure on Phil BrownHull launching £31m probe into ALL their transfers in past two yearsConvict King should get extra FA ban, blasts Wigan chairman WhelanALL THE HULL CITY FC
