Cooper hails Hull coaching team

4th December 2008

Middlesbrough coach Colin Cooper reckons the Premier League's surprise team, Hull, owe a massive debt to their management team.

Phil Brown, Brian Horton and Steve Parkin have guided the Tigers to a healthy top-six place in their inaugural campaign in the top flight, with survival now looking a distinct possibility.

Cooper and manager Gareth Southgate have helped Middlesbrough make a satisfactory start to their season, but Cooper knows that Boro face a big test at the KC Stadium.

Cooper said: "Everybody said Hull would be the Premier League's whipping boys but that's far from the case. You can't argue with what they have achieved so far this season. They have been brilliant.

"They've got a great coaching team in Phil Brown, Brian Horton and Steve Parkin and the points they have won have been more than deserved. Phil spent a lot of time working with Sam Allardyce at Bolton and he has learned what is needed to win games at this level. Brian has been a top manager in his time and knows how to get the best out of players.

"Steve was my first partner at England Under-21s and he's an honest guy who started learning all about management at a very young age. Hull may have surprised a few people outside of the game, but it's no surprise to anybody who knows the coaching staff they've got to see them doing such an effective job."