HULL CITY: Boateng looks to lift pressure (video)
GEORGE Boateng says Hull City must look to lift the pressure on manager Phil Brown with a return to winning ways against Everton.
Demoralising back-to-back defeats against Sunderland and Birmingham have cranked up the heat on a badly out-of-sorts City side ahead of tonight's League Cup third round tie.
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George Boateng wants to life the pressure off Phil Brown
And wary of the scrutiny Brown currently finds himself under, Boateng has called for the Tigers to find a win to kick-start a stuttering campaign.
"The manager knows more than anyone else that results keep any manager in a job, it's the reality of football," Boateng said.
"He knows that if he doesn't get a result, he's going to get scrutinised.
"But believe me, the manager is more determined than anybody else to get some results on board.
"It's not pleasant when people are attacking the manager but everyone wants to make sure we get a result soon.
"We know that a run of two or three results would change everything and ease the pressure on the manager and on ourselves."
City's last taste of victory came when seeing off Southend in the second round four weeks ago but Brown's men will need to buck history if they are to gain a timely confidence boost tonight.
Not since 1977/78 have the Tigers reached the fourth round of the League Cup but as part of a much-changed side, Boateng will look to quell unrest with a fitting display before Saturday's league trip to Liverpool.
"We haven't picked up a lot of good results and the game has become more important now," he said.
"One result can change everything and if we can get one, it would give us the confidence to take to Anfield.
"A win is much needed but it's not so doom and gloom as some may think.
"It's only six games that we've played, it's not like we have played 20 or 25 games.
"We lost a game we believe we should have won, or at least got a draw, and now there's plenty of room to improve."
Boateng will be one of many changes in the City line-up tonight, with Brown certain to ring the changes against David Moyes' Everton.
The former Holland international has spent recent weeks as an unused substitute but is desperate to fight his way back into City's Premier League plans.
"I can honestly say that there has never been a season where I didn't have to fight for a place in the team, whether that was Coventry, Villa or Middlesbrough," he added.
"Even when I was captain at Middlesbrough I was constantly under scrutiny to perform and stay in the team.
"I know what I have to do and if the manager doesn't pick me, I just have to work harder."
CITY are expecting a crowd in the region of 12,000 for tonight's fixture and have advised supporters that cash turnstiles will be available.
Admission is set at £15 for adults and £8 for concessions.
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by Alan, Washington
Thursday, September 24 2009, 8:15AM
“Thank you Alec. I come on here for the insights, humour and cut& thrust of debate; it is far better when it is less personal.
Bobby's view of the game (23:36) was probably one of the best posts over recent times. He managed to pass on the way of the game which I appreciate. I was particularly pleased that he was impressed enough with Ghilas to give him our MotM out of a 4-0 beating. Perhaps there are positives we can all take. trust restored - thank you again.”
by Alec, Hull
Thursday, September 24 2009, 1:10AM
“Alan, Washington
commented on 23-Sep-2009 23:02 , yes Alan I have re read that particular post and OWE YOU AN APOLOGY as I worded it very badly. It was not meant as an attack on you at all, just accept that I said we could move on from our previous argument although I will not tip toe around you, as I do not expect you to do towards me. I congratulated and agreed with you a 100% with a post you made on another thread, is that the sign of someone who wants to have a pop at you?
As you are aware by now if I want to have a pop I will do it openly as I am sure you will, however like I said I am not going to tip toe around you and we will have more debates/disagreements in the future I am sure, but on this occasion it is not one of them times.
I would have done this earlier but our isp has been upgrading”
by bobby, hull
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 11:09PM
“Alan, Agree mate, Just read the telegraph report, Bit one sided if you ask me, As for the fans, They are hurting like hell, and see no end to it, For me i wait for the next game, and hope it will turn around for us, for i can do nothing about it except support HULL CITY, Thats what i will do. zzzZZZZ now.”
by Alan, Washington
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 11:06PM
“Johnny (23:13) ¿ take more care Johnny, use the page down and you will see that Alec was referring to me as John (Walkington) named me and no one else . I can only assume that you mean Mel as my ¿very good friend from down south¿ ¿ I have not seen a post from him! I had moved on and still have; I only post in general terms unless I answer a specific remark where I am named. You clearly do not follow the threads, if you did you would be aware that I have been a critic of Brown for longer than you have ¿ my recent posts would support that; including my call for a strong team tonight with no tinkering. Perhaps the difference is a style thing.”
by Alan, Washington
Wednesday, September 23 2009, 10:47PM
“Le Tigre (22:32) ¿ it is not a matter of finding it OK, I do not and I did not say I did. It is simply the way the game is evolving between the haves and have not¿s. Money is killing the game; the high rollers will not make the game more fan/supporter friendly, it will become more difficult for the fans to exist as they once did. The voice of the fan is becoming diluted at all top flight clubs; where the clubs claim to listen it is nothing more than polite lip service ¿ they can do no more than that when the stakes are so high.
What I find far more disturbing is the sheer glee that is in some posts; glee at the situation in which we find our club. Glee from supporters; it one thing having your opinion justified (maybe), but it is another thing revelling in it at the expense and embarrassment of your team. This result was not unexpected, the tinkering with the team was not unexpected ¿ the glee should have been unexpected, but unfortunately it was not. A sad night for the club, we have become our own worse enemies ¿ the Telegraph writes that Boateng was probably subbed to save him from the jeers of the clubs own fans. That is the sort of thing that, as a long standing supporter, I find hard to accept. Brown may go, Duffen may go, these supporters will still be here ¿ depending on our league status perhaps.”