IF you have to meet and greet the opposing managers and coaches after a defeat, there was probably none better for Jim Magilton than sharing a drink with Hull's assistant boss Brian Horton.

By Derek Davis

IF you have to meet and greet the opposing managers and coaches after a defeat, there was probably none better for Jim Magilton than sharing a drink with Hull's assistant boss Brian Horton.

Not only is Horton one of the most passionate football people around, he is also one of the most positive and upbeat, even in the face of his own adversity because his philosophy is 'if the manager doesn't stay positive then no-one else will'.

Magilton sought a few pearls of wisdom from the former Manchester City, Huddersfield, Oxford, Brighton, Port Vale and Macclesfield boss, who took him to Oxford from Liverpool reserves and thus kick-started his playing career.

Horton is not surprised Magilton has gone into management and tips him to do well, although warns the path will be rocky - as the Town boss is finding out away from home.

“It happens in football. We didn't think they would make many changes after winning and he asked me if I thought he should have but you wouldn't, would you?

“It is easy in hindsight. Managers say you don't change a winning team, and when you lose you wish you had, but that is all part of learning.

“It doesn't get any easier and, of course, it is getting even harder to identify the bargain players. There aren't many Jim Magiltons at £100,000 around and he will find that.”

Horton admits Hull rode their luck to be so far ahead by half-time and said: “Ipswich played good football and we are trying to bring that here to Hull.

“It was a good open game but that's a nightmare for us managers. We have gone up 3-1 and we are wondering how as they have hit the post twice but we have had the rub of the green.”

Horton insists Magilton has the qualities to do well, just as he did as a player.

He said: “I put Jim down as one of my best-ever buys.

“I played against him as a kid when I was at Hull and he was a 17-year-old reserve with Liverpool, along with John Durnin, who I also took to Oxford.

“I watched him play against Sunderland reserves and they won 6-2. Jim was different class so I asked Kenny Dalglish about him and he sold him for £100,000.

“He was marvellous for me as a player and as a person. He was great in the dressing room and I knew he would be a manager because he always had an opinion, which I liked, and he was a super talent.

“He was always chirpy and a leader - a real diamond.”

Magilton wasn't feeling too chirpy in the immediacy of the defeat and warned: “I will make changes for Burnley on Tuesday and, if I can get people in, then I will.

“We have too many people comfortable in home surroundings but when it comes to rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in away then we are lacking in that department.

“I'm bitterly disappointed after we started very brightly and created good chances but didn't take them. We then conceded three shockers with two set plays and sloppy defending for the other.”