Source: Telegraph
Phil Brown says it's vital for Hull City to stand tall and fight for Premier league survival
Everybody still seems to have something to play for. From Manchester City down to the bottom three, teams are fighting to stay up. [LNB]Then you have a batch of six playing for the Europa Cup, and four or five for the Champions League. There is something to play for in every game. It is an absolutely fantastic division this year, and although it has not been good for the managers, stress-wise, it must be exciting for everybody else. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League team newsHull focus on job at handFA ponder next move in Fabregas rowFA rap looms for Cup tie trioSomething for the WeekendHulls Phil Brown finds little reason for comfortMiddlesbrough are on the last throw of the dice. They are in a must-win situation this afternoon, and while we have a must-not-lose situation on our hands, our side are fully prepared for what comes our way. [LNB]I like to take my backroom staff on what we call 'away days', where we put space between ourselves and Hull, and the club, and go to a hotel or golf club to chew the fat. [LNB]The last away day we took was on Monday, after our 0-0 draw against Portsmouth, and we came back fresh to get into the players, and make sure they are ready. [LNB]Four games ago, against Fulham, we asked our players to restart the season and we have taken five points since. Our defence has tightened up, which has stood us in good stead for the remainder of the season. [LNB]But as you can see with Middlesbrough's situation, no one has a divine right to be in this division. Gareth Southgate is a very affable manager, but it is dog eat dog out there. Brutal. [LNB]We learnt a lot about that against Arsenal back in March. There are no favours in this league, and while I cannot elaborate about my relationship with Arsene Wenger because of an ongoing Football Association inquiry, I can say that I was unpleasantly surprised by some of the reaction from that game, which I found a disgrace. [LNB]Naming no names, some journalists abused their position of power, coming out of the woodwork as Gooners. Their blind support for Arsenal manifested itself in scathing attacks on me and the club, all of which I find quite pathetic. [LNB]To add insult to injury, I was also called a ninny by Russell Brand. Can you believe it? But he can write what he wants as far as I am concerned. [LNB]I am one of 20 very lucky, but ultimately good men in charge of Premier League clubs. There is a lot of pressure, but it is where I've always wanted to be. I'm proud to be manager of Hull, and people have a right to write what they want. All I can do is try to do my job properly. [LNB]And as for Brand's reference that I look like a judge on Dancing on Ice – I'd love to get an invitation to go on the programme. I went skating with my wife and daughter about 3½ weeks ago and had a great time of it. [LNB]A group of schoolchildren sped past me saying I should put my name forward, but I'm not the best, to be honest. And Russell thinks I look like a judge? That must mean I have a fake tan, I suppose! [LNB]
