BROWN HAILS 'SUNSHINE BOY' GEOVANNI

Geovanni - praised by Brown.

Brazilian playmaker Geovanni has supplied the touch of magic to Hull's remarkable Premier League story so far.

His wonder goals were the key to two away victories in eight days at Arsenal and Tottenham which have taken the Tigers to the dizzy heights of third spot in the league table.

Ironically, it is Geovanni's defending which has earned even more praise from Hull manager Phil Brown.

"It's a pleasure to work with him," said Brown. "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."

Brown's gospel stipulates that at such times every man must shed buckets of sweat in the team cause, and while 28-year-old Geovanni has scored three goals in five league starts for Hull he is not excused his shift when winning back the ball is the chief requirement.

Brown said: "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. He's a sunshine boy. Without possession he has to learn that he has to drop behind such as (Didier) Zokora at Tottenham, so he had 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."

He should do considering he scored 17 times in 94 appearances for Benfica and seven in 36 matches for Barcelona and has pulled on the famous canary yellow of Brazil, albeit only on one occasion.

Last season he scored the only goal for Manchester City in their 1-0 win over Manchester United but his only other goal in the Premier League came against Wigan, which probably explains why he was released by City in the summer.

The irony is that he should have to travel to Hull to rediscover his sunshine form.

Much of that is down to Brown, who added: "He is a real talent. He had a great chance before he scored the goal, but this group are a pleasure to work with and the new boys have fitted in very well."