Source: Telegraph
Hull manager Phil Brown defends Michael Turner sale to Sunderland
Brown remains bullish about Hull's Premier League chances of continuing their upward mobility despite the departure of Turner who has headed to Sunderland in what he asserted was a "good value" deal that could cost the Wearside club £8 million.
The former Derby manager and Bolton coach took over the helm at Hull, when relegation to League One was looming, but he managed to avert demotion and then steered the club into the top-flight two seasons ago for the first time in their history and he sees no reason why the Tigers can't continue to advance.
"I've got to think that way and if you don't, you're going to go backwards," said Brown, who has brought seven new players to the KC Stadium over the summer.
"We're a progressive club since I've been here and that will always continue."
Indeed, Brown, who has replaced Turner with Ibrahima Sonko on a season-long loan from Stoke, is convinced his side are better equipped for life in the Premier League than last season.
"I understand the disappointment of fans when they see Michael Turner go, there's none more disappointed than myself because he's been a great servant," Brown said.
"Michael will admit that the reason he's the player he is, is because of the players he's worked with.
"It's never about one player in any team. He's formed partnerships first with Wayne Brown and then with Kamil Zayatte and Anthony Gardner and now we've got to form a new one."
As far as Brown is concerned, he had no choice but to allow Turner to leave for the Stadium of Light because he made it clear he wanted to re-locate to the North-East.
"Once a player makes reference to me that, not his head, but his heart is elsewhere, then I know that it's time to move on," Brown said.
"You don't like it and of course I didn't like it. It's not a case of trying to better your football club when a player makes reference to his heart being elsewhere.
"When that happened it became up to me to get the best price I possibly could and I think we've done that. The deal, as far as I'm concerned, represents good value.
"A lot of people out there will be thinking negatively about the situation but £350,000 converted into what we got for Michael, and getting Paul McShane back in the camp, represents good value."
