Hull manager Phil Brown has apologised for the "unsavoury" public
bust-up between Jimmy Bullard and Nicky Barmby this week.
Reports emerged claiming the Tigers duo were involved in an
altercation on a 'warm-down' outing near the Humber Bridge
following the 5-1 defeat by Everton on Sunday.
The set-to was apparently witnessed by a large party from the
Women's Institute and Brown - who insists the matter has been dealt
with "in house" - is keen to put the incident behind them.
He said: "I'd like to apologise to the Women's Institute, I
didn't realise there was a rally going on there and there was
apparently 50-100 women going on a march across the Humber Bridge
and the incident was unsavoury, it was unfortunate.
"It happens on the training ground on a regular basis, under
the control of the club, but it seems to have got out this time.
"The players have settled their differences now, it was back
to normal on Tuesday and they are getting on with the job in hand
which is obviously the challenge of 10 games in the Premier League.
"These things do happen. I'm not condoning that kind of
behaviour but it's an emotive game, it's a passionate game.
Emotions do run high and certainly then the pressure is cranked up
- which it is, we are coming to the business end of the season.
"It's a sign that they care. Nick Barmby has obviously got
himself involved with Jimmy Bullard. They are big players where we
are concerned and I'm looking forward to the response of the group
and of the two players in question.
"We'll get on with it and deal with it. At the end of the day
it has made headlines, because outside of the confines of the
training ground we weren't expecting it to be swept under the
carpet. We're big boys, we stand by our behaviour and have shaken
hands and will get on with it."
He added: "There are no fractures within the squad. This
squad is united."
Veteran Tigers midfielder George Boateng added: "I'm sorry
because I missed it, I wasn't there. I would have paid to watch
it!"
Hull are in the relegation zone on goal difference after a
run of three defeats.
All three losses came away from home after the Tigers had
seemingly given their survival hopes a huge shot in the arm with a
home win over Manchester City, which followed a draw with Chelsea.
Hull have not played at home for five weeks since their win
over City and Brown said his squad welcomed a return to the KC
Stadium, where they have lost just one of their past 10 league
matches.
"We're looking forward to playing in front of our home fans.
We've been on our travels since the Man City game and the
performances haven't been one of credit," he said.
"We know what the problem is, we certainly know what the
solution is at home.
"We have six out of our remaining 10 games at the KC Stadium,
starting with Arsenal on Saturday.
"If we bring out that level of performance that we did
against Man City and Chelsea then we have a great chance of taking
something out of the game."
