Hull boss Brown reveals crunch Boateng talks sparked new form

Hull City boss Phil Brown says showdown talks with George Boateng has reignited the Dutchman's season.

The veteran midfielder spent six weeks out of the side in the autumn before winning his place back, and marked an impressive performance in the 2-1 victory over Manchester City on Saturday with a spectacular winning goal.

Brown said: "George, for me, has been looking at the bigger picture too much. All his career he's focused on the small picture and he's lived game by game.

"Focusing on the bigger picture - the next contract, the end of his career - all of those things play havoc with people's minds and consequently you don't play your best football.

"We've had long conversations at the start of the season, some of them weren't nice or pretty but they were to the point and truthful and honest. Integrity is something that George respects and I think we've come through it together.

"I probably was overlooking one of our most influential and experienced players at the start of the season. But George is playing his best football now and long may that continue because he's an automatic selection."

Boateng, who joined Hull from Middlesbrough in 2008, is out of contract in the summer but Brown has hinted the 34-year-old could be set for an extended stay at the KC Stadium.

"We've got a long way to go but, if George continues in the form he's in, then the fans will make sure he gets a new contract, it's as simple as that," he said.