THE scintillating start enjoyed by Hull City's Geovanni in his first two seasons in English football have underlined just why Barcelona once spent £11m on the mercurial Brazilian.

The 28-year-old's debut goal for the Tigers a fortnight ago in the 2-1 win over Fulham could yet prove to be the most important scored this season due to the ramifications it could have for the entire season.

Geovanni's impact in the East Riding has been similar to that he enjoyed with Manchester City in the opening weeks of last term when decisive goals in wins over West Ham United and Manchester United suggested his capture by Sven Goran Eriksson would prove to be a masterstroke.

Unfortunately, two goals in three games proved to be something of a false dawn with the Brazilian international going on to net just once more – against Wigan Athletic in December – before being released on a free transfer during the summer by new manager Mark Hughes

Such a collapse in form after a promising start led to accusations that maybe he was not best suited to the rigours of a Premier League campaign during the winter months.

It is a charge manager Phil Brown is well aware of, though he is quick to insist that the player can tap into the strong mentality that runs through the Hull squad to prove his critics wrong.

Asked whether Geovanni can avoid a repeat of last season's dip, the Tigers chief said: "With the sun on his back, he is a very good player.

"But it is only when it is blowing a gale, when we are at the worst ground in the Premier League – and I am frantically trying to think of one as I say this – and it is wet that I can answer that question.

"When the weather changes and the clever, beautiful game has become a harder working environment, then, hopefully, I will have the same answer.

"But he is getting up to speed with our mentality. That is key as far as Geo is concerned. He has to understand we have a philosophy at this club."

Geovanni's big break came in 2001 with an £11m move to Barcelona, where he spent 18 months before joining Benfica and helping the Portuguese club lift the league title in 2004-05.

Returning to his native Brazil in January, 2006, he spent little over a season with Cruzeiro before becoming Eriksson's third signing on taking over at Eastlands.

Geovanni is reluctant to discuss his time in Manchester, suggesting he is less than happy with how his career stalled under Eriksson – something that could yet work in Hull's favour.

Speaking through an interpreter at the club's training ground, he said: "I am grateful to the manager for giving me this opportunity. I just want to play football and show people what I can do.

"I have been in Europe for seven years and the weather is similar here to what it is there, so I am used to it.

"The Premiership is good for me to be in and we have started the new season very well. Now we need to keep things going.

"I want to give my best and produce the best football I can. I am learning English, but on the pitch I use the language of football. That can command everything."

Team-mate Richard Garcia has, so far, been utilised as an interpreter on a day-to-day basis if Brown needs to get across a particular point.

However, the Hull manager is also quick to stress that the language barrier has not been a problem. He added: "The interpreter is for your benefit, we brought him in for the press day. He speaks English, but when it comes to talking to you (the press) he wants to be understood.

"Literal translation can be abused, I know that from first-hand experience with Bernard Mendy when he first came to England (to join Bolton).

"He went back to France soon after for an Under-21 game and the literal translation of what he said had a certain slant in English, but made perfect sense in French."

Hull look like being frustrated in their attempts to sign Cardiff defender Richard Johnson.

Tigers Focus

Hull City (4th) v Wigan (19th)

Team news: Marlon King is ineligible due to the terms of his loan from Wigan so Phil Brown must decide whether to bring in Dean Windass or Caleb Folan up front. Alternatively, he could name both in the starting line-up and change Hull's formation from the 4-4-1-1 used in the opening two games. George Boateng (thigh) remains a doubt.

Last six games: Hull City LWWWWD, Wigan Athletic DWLLLW.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).

Last time: Hull City 1 Wigan Athletic 1; November 30, 1996; League Cup.

SkyBet odds: Hull 13-8; Wigan 9-5; Draw 21-10.