ANTON FERDINAND has revealed the furious reaction of Sunderland’s players when they discovered Phil Brown’s verdict on them.

The Sunderland defender accused Hull City manager Brown of a lack of respect for writing off Ricky Sbragia’s team as expensive underachievers.

And Ferdinand relished making Brown eat his words as Sunderland clinched a crucial 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Brown’s comments were pinned up in the Sunderland dressing room before the kick-off and Ferdinand admitted: “They were a big motivation for me. It angered all the lads.

“I’ve come here to try and make the side better and I feel like I’ve helped and done okay this year.

“So, for someone who doesn’t watch me week in, week out to say that is a bit disrespectful.

“That’s his view, but came away with the three points and with our heads held high.

That’s all you can do.

“It is unfair to say we’ve not been value for money, but that’s his problem. We rose to the occasion, though, and used it as ammo.”

Midfielder Andy Reid was equally upset and threw some choice words in the direction of Brown while walking off after being substituted.

It was a moment Sbragia enjoyed. “Andy was wanting to show him and went out there and made our goal,”

said the Sunderland manager, who had regularly witnessed Sam Allardyce uniting the Bolton team by pinning up derogatory articles.

“It worked for us. I think there are too many managers who talk about other clubs and they should just concentrate on their own.

“It just annoyed me. But it did motivate the players. We were thinking about what to say to them and what we needed from them, but that said everything. I didn’t really have to say anything else to them.”

Brown seemed unconcerned, however, at Sbragia’s motivational move.

“That’s Ricky’s prerogative.

It’s got nothing to do with me,” said the Hull manager.

“I can’t legislate for headlines.

“I seem to be picking a few fights and I have not been in a ring yet.”

The win moved Sunderland above Hull in the increasingly desperate battle to stay in the Premie League.

Sbragia said: “It was a game we had to win and it gives us a huge boost. I think we’re just coming right.

“Last week’s performance was excellent and we’ve just continued with that. That’s why I kept the same team.”