Sour grape, Phil?

By Chris Lepkowski on Aug 11, 08 11:07 PM

Around three or four years ago an email worked its way around the media circuit, featuring a ridiculous outburst by Phil Brown during a press conference.

He was manager of Derby County at the time and took umbrage at something he was asked by a member of the media. The journalist, to his credit, gave as good as he got. Brown didn't come out of it very well. Sadly it hasn't yet reached Youtube, although we can live in hope.

And it seems Brown hasn't learnt his lesson.

Hull, you may recall, wanted to sign Abdoulaye Meite and went to the trouble of matching Albion's bid.

Meite joined Albion.

I'm sure Brown isn't bitter. Well, unless you count the following outburst as being one of bitterness.

Here's what Mr Brown said: "I'm not at all disappointed.

"There are reasons why players decide to come and sign for this football club. They see ambition and an exciting chance to join the Hull City bandwagon.

"Some players decide against it, I've got no problem with that. But I don't class this as a failure, quite the opposite.

"We want players that want to play for us and do everything they can for the team.

"I want players with pride when they pull on a Hull City shirt but he didn't want to even do that for Bolton. I definitely believe that he was a good one to miss.".

So he was such a 'good one to miss' that he was prepared to spend £2.5million on the player?

Sounds to me like Brown is morphing into the next David O'Leary. God help us all.

Personally, I'm just thrilled that the pre-season games are over. Saturday's game against Real Mallorca was the best of an uninspiring summer of matches - we know Albion's tempo and quality will be cranked up somewhat this weekend. Since early July we've merely watched practice games involving opposition.

In fact I'm told that one member of Albion's staff became so bored during the Hawthorns' friendly that they updated their own Facebook pages while the action, or lack of it, was unfolding, or not unfolding, before them.

Presumably, the status read: "... is bored and wants the proper football to kick-off."

This Saturday is what it's all about.