Brown hails Geovanni efforts
06 Oct 2008 - 16:49:20
Hull City's Brazilian playmaker Geovanni has won praise from Tigers boss Phil Brown for his all-round contribution to his side's superb start to life in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has caught the eye with stunning goals in the away wins over Arsenal and Spurs in the last two games, but Brown is just as impressed by Geovanni's defensive work.
He said: "It's a pleasure to work with him, but it hasn't all been plain sailing.
"He had to understand that to play for Hull City you have to do certain things during the week and we're getting that response.
"He's working for the team. He's learning his roles and what his responsibilities are when we haven't got the ball.
"There are long periods of time when you play Arsenal and Tottenham at their stadia when they are going to have a lot of possession.
"He's doing great for us without the ball, as well as the talent obviously he is with the ball. Geo's mentality with the ball is that he just wants to play.
"Without possession he has to learn that he has to drop behind, such as Didier Zokora at Tottenham, so he has a responsibility.
"Second half, he dropped into the left-hand side and gave Andy Dawson a hand off his own back.
"That wasn't an instruction from the sideline, that was off his own back, so he understands the game."