Horton follows Brown as Hull chairman welcomes Dowie

Brian Horton is believed to have followed manager Phil Brown out of Hull City as Iain Dowie takes charge today.

Dowie will be assisted by former Bolton assistant Steve Wigley and former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Tim Flowers.

Tigers chairman Adam Pearson told the Hull Daily Mail: "Iain is a very focused man, he's positive and passionate.

"He's aware of what we need to do to stay in this division and he is very confident it can be done.

"He's very organised, he knows the squad and the players and he's desperate to get into the challenge.

"We've been keen to get someone in who will be fully operational and he will start his preparations for the weekend immediately."

Pearson says Dowie has the qualities he was looking for given City's perilous position at the foot of the table.

"We've been looking for someone to add discipline, someone who has strength and someone who is up for the fight. Iain is all of those things.

"We need to tighten up our defence and we need to improve a poor run of results.

"It's been over a year since our last away win and we have to change that mentality. We've got nine games and 27 points to play for and Iain is up for that fight."