Bostock thankful to Hull for giving him shot of confidence

Hull City 2 Swansea City

Jeremy Cross
Monday 09 August 2010 00:00 BST
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John Bostock has seen his career stagnate in recent seasons, but he could be about to become living proof that homegrown talent can flourish, provided it is given the chance.

Hull City are the immediate beneficiaries of Bostock's ability as the teenager produced an inspired performance on his debut after joining the Championship club on a 12-month loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur. The midfielder, who has found his opportunities limited at White Hart Lane, opened the scoring with a stunning drive in the 23rd minute and was the best player on the pitch by a country mile. Ian Ashbee, returning after 16 months out with a serious knee injury, added a second after the interval on a positive afternoon for Nigel Pearson's side, who have been beset by off-field problems this summer.

Bostock, who made his professional debut for Crystal Palace aged 15, admitted he had no hesitation in joining Hull and insisted the most important aspect for him is to feel wanted again.

He said: "As soon as I knew Hull were interested I jumped at the chance. The manager really wanted me. He told me that if I came I would be a big player who gets his chance to help the club. The most important thing for a player [is] to feel wanted.

"Spurs are a very big club so it's difficult. You have to be a bit more patient but as a kid, all you want to do is play football at the highest level and show your ability. I have that chance here and I'm relishing this opportunity.

"It's right up there with any goal I've scored and to get it at the KC Stadium was an amazing feeling. The applause I got at the end really got me. Hopefully I can get a few more goals now.

"It really makes a big difference to a player to have a manager giving you confidence," Bostock added. "He told me to go out there and enjoy my football so it's great to work with him. Ahead of me at Tottenham are some of the world's best players but football is a game where you never know what will happen.

"I'm not going to think too much about the future. I'm here at Hull for the season so I'm going to work hard and see what comes of it after that."

New Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers tried to sign Bostock during the summer and was left with the painful feeling of what might have been. He admitted that the 18-year-old had been the difference between the sides. He said: "I've known John for a long time and I had communication with Tottenham about him. But I got a call telling me he'd joined Hull. He is a talent. He just needs to play games and his was a world-class strike. You won't see many better goals than that this season."

Rodgers is hoping to get over the blow of missing out on Bostock by signing Scott Sinclair from Chelsea in the next 48 hours.

Hull City (4-4-2): Duke; Solano, Zayatte, Gardner, Dawson; Atkinson (Devitt, 70), Ashbee, Cairney, Kilbane; Garcia (Cullen, 77), Bostock (Barmby, 84). Substitutes not used Oxley (gk), McShane, Olofinjana, Cousin.

Swansea City (4-5-1): De Vries; Serran, Monk, Williams, Tate; Cotterill, Lopez (Pintado, 71), Pratley, Gower (Orlandi, 59), Dyer; Dobie (Kuqi, 59). Substitutes not used Cornell (gk), Taylor, Van der Gun.

Referee M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Man of the match Bostock.

Attendance 21,478.

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