Johnson Woodgate reveals what he said to Marvin Johnson after red card against Hull

Boro were in full control after taking a 2-0 lead following goals from Marcus Tavernier and Ashley Fletcher, before Johnson’s dismissal in the 37th minute.

Woodgate had no complaints about the decision after his side were pegged back to 2-2, with Hull playmaker Jarrod Bowen scoring both goals for the Tigers.

“I thought for as long as we had 11 men on the pitch we were absolutely sensational,” said Woodgate after the game. “When Marvin gets sent off it’s a lack of discipline, you can’t tackle like that. You can not tackle like that and expect to stay on the pitch.

“I’ve told him he’s cost the team.”

When asked how Johnson replied, Woodgate said: “Nothing, what can he say he’s cost his team. He’s obviously disappointed in the changing room, you can’t really answer anything back can you.”

With Boro down to 10 men, Woodgate withdrew frontman Fletcher at half-time with Adam Clayton coming on to play in midfield.

After that, the Teessiders rarely threatened as they were pinned back inside their own penalty area, unable to break free in a 4-4-1 formation.

When asked to explain his half-time substitution, Woodgate said: “I had to take Fletch off because it was no good a striker playing on that side of the pitch.

“It was more to do with Fletch as a forward being disciplined tracking back and if I put Paddy on the left he would be more solid.”

“We still shouldn’t be conceding the two goals but they have a match winner in Bowen, this is his 11th goal this season but we need to do better.”

Woodgate also moved Tavernier to left-back following the red card, despite having defenders Marc Bola and Hayden Coulson on the bench.

“I thought Tav can play that position no problem at all,” added Woodgate when quizzed on the move. “If you look at Bola and Coulson they are attack minded.”