Assistant Hull boss Brian Horton maintains manager Phil Brown will continue with his upfront approach next campaign. Horton told the Manchester Evening News: "I think he has been great for the Premiership.

"He is a character who might get under the skin of some people with his comments but he is only speaking his mind. There is nothing wrong with that.

"Earlier in the season Phil asked me if he should adopt a low profile. I told him to forget it.

"By being what he is, Phil has helped put Hull on the map. I told him bad publicity is infinitely preferable to no publicity."