Shota is Keane to keep his star man
SHOTA ARVELADZE urged Hull to hold on to star man Keane LewisPotter after he conjured a winner to damage Boro’s play-off hopes.
The forward is highlyrated and being watched by Premier League clubs in the hope of discovering the next Jarrod Bowen who left the Tigers for West Ham.
The England Under-21 ace has been linked with a £14million move to Tottenham, Brentford and the Hammers – and showed why by turning this game with a piece of individual brilliance.
He had been a pest all game when he collected the ball in the left channel and cut inside to the edge of the box.
The shot dipped and evaded Boro keeper Joe Lumley who should have done better, blaming defenders in front of him for not blocking.
It was Lewis-Potter’s 10th of the season, a fortnight after his first England Under-21 call-up by Lee Carsley.
Arveladze’s men are unbeaten in their last six away games and have won three.
The Georgian coach said: “That was a massive, massive three points. I am pleased the boys did it.
“Lewis-Potter showed why we must keep him. Why sell your best player. No one wants that.”
It was a dreary game with a lack of urgency considering Boro are chasing a play-off berth.
Boss Chris Wilder said: “Disappointed. That is what happens when you are not at it and standards are not good.”
MIDDLESBROUIGH: Lumley 4; Dijksteel 5, Fry 4 (Bamba (34th) 5), McNair 5; Tavernier 5, Crooks 4 (Watmore (63rd) 7), Howson 6, McGree 5, Bola 5; Connolly 4, Balogun 4 (Coburn (63rd) 5)
HULL: Ingram 6; Greaves 7, Jones 7, Smallwood 7 (Docherty 80th); Honeyman 7, Lewis-Potter 7, Longman 7 (Elder 88th), McLoughlin 6; Allahyar 6; Fleming 6, Slater 6
STAR MAN: Keane Lewis-Potter
REF: A Woolmer