Fraizer Campbell and David Stockdale still on Hull City transfer radar, but Bruce will bide time on deals
STEVE Bruce will be content to bide his time for the remainder of the January transfer window, insisting his Hull City jigsaw is almost complete for a final promotion push.
City were the first of the Championship's high-flyers to flex their financial muscles this month when shelling out a combined £3.5m to recruit loan stars David Meyler and Robbie Brady in permanent transfers on Tuesday.
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All smiles: Hull City's Steve Bruce with Sone Aluko and Ahmed Elmohamady in training
The Tigers' early business has reiterated their ambitious plans to build upon a climb to second in the table, but Bruce is warning supporters that further transfer activity into the KC Stadium could be minimal.
Although the search for a new goalkeeper and a forward will remain active this month, with David Stockdale and Fraizer Campbell firmly in the frame, Bruce has stressed the strength of his squad negates the need for immediate action.
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"The key to management is being patient," Bruce told the Mail.
"When you're buying a new player it's like getting a puppy at Christmas, it's a long-term thing.
"Unless you're getting a player on loan, you've got to be 100 per cent sure that it's the right thing to do.
"Of course, you do make mistakes in management but you hope that your good decisions outweigh the bad ones.
"If there is anyone out there, we have to be patient, I won't just be bringing in a player who will be a stop-gap.
"We're bigger and better than that now with where we are in the league, but if there's someone out there who can improve us then we'll act."
Bruce's first priority this month was always to secure the long-term services of Meyler and Brady and those big-money deals were finally completed this week.
A £1.5m fee was enough to lure Meyler away from Sunderland before a further £2m allowed City to beat Watford to the signature of Brady from Manchester United.
The Republic of Ireland international pair were both pivotal players during impressive loan spells in East Yorkshire and, ahead of hosting Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow evening, the pair are yet to end on a losing side when starting for the Tigers.
The arrival of Meyler and Brady has been celebrated by Bruce but he is still uncertain if more will follow.
"If we don't do anymore at all I can still feel pretty satisfied," he said.
"We've got two goalkeepers at the moment which is not always ideal, especially with Mark Oxley just coming back from injury.
"However, when I look at the squad and the way everyone is fit, we're looking pretty strong."
While claims to be "satisfied" are not without good reason, Bruce is not yet willing to call time on his transfer activity.
The City boss has admitted an interest in bringing Campbell back from Sunderland and Stockdale in from Fulham this month, but both moves are dependent on the two Premier League clubs doing business of their own.
Aaron Mclean's loan move to Ipswich and the return of Ben Amos to parent club Manchester United has left City short in key areas and when asked if he would be keen on signing another goalkeeper and forward, Bruce said: "In a perfect world, yes.
"After letting Mclean go out, that would allow Koren to go back into midfield sometimes.
"But it's not always a perfect world and the squad we've got has a nice balance."
Comments
by strummer1961
Friday, January 11 2013, 6:02PM
“I distinctly remember an interview where Steve Bruce stated his affection for Fraizer Campbell.
It went something along the lines of 'I'd love to have him here but can't see it happening'.At that time there was little or no chance of it happening so fair comment.The difference now is it's a distinct possibility that F.C can move on from Sunderland and if Steve Bruce can dig deeper into the Allams pockets and persuade them to part with more cash,I think he'll go for Campbell...No bad thing in my eyes.
We all know he turned us down the last time(or did he?,let's not forget the bull***t we were being fed at the time) but you can't blame the kid really.He assumed he'd be a standing dish at Sunderland and his wages would've been substantially more than we would've been offering.
Come on let's all be sensible here!!!.If you were offered more money to go to a different job,would you take it,or show your allegiance to your current employer?...No brainer for me!!”
by Kc_Rob
Friday, January 11 2013, 4:02PM
“I just dont get this obsession with FC - Yes he enjoyed a fantastic spell at the club last time around which ended with that never to be forgotten day at wembley but why did he turn his back on us when we looked to turn his loan deal into a permanent one ?. I would welcome him back here with open arms but every time we are on the lookout for a striker his name always pops up , I am sure there is better out there and much cheaper options aswell. Not forgetting there is no guarantee whatsoever that he can repeat the exploits in his last spell here. Also if we did sign him who would make way to allow him to start games as he wont come here to sit on the bench - Evans would be my bet but that would be harsh on Cory as he has been outstanding recently , he has found his feet this season and has put in some excellent displays. UTT :-)”
by PompeyPete40
Friday, January 11 2013, 3:45PM
“Baz, if he gets the chance and takes it, I challenge you to come back on here and eat your words!”
by tigrob
Friday, January 11 2013, 3:06PM
“Smoothill Baz
The German Howitzer !! Do you mean Howitzer ever a centre forward !!”
by Supersol1
Friday, January 11 2013, 1:14PM
“I see Sunderland have signed Senegal Internation striker Kader Mangane on loan till the end of the season........could this open the door for a certain FC ??”
by Alantf
Friday, January 11 2013, 12:34PM
“There is good conversation on here today; much of it I agree with. The FC issue is a bit of a non-story, as SB has admitted he would be interested, but Sunderland has not made him available; it is MON who has the say on transfers, working to a budget set by the Chairman, Ellis Short – MON has to do his juggling before any deals can be considered.
As for whether FC is good enough or not, then my thought is that yes, of course he is, at the right price. I tend to think he would have to be bought, or a loan with a hefty fee; the matter of his knees is a bit of a red herring as he is fully fit and has been for some time – just as Meyler is!
I definitely agree that NP should be given an opportunity to play in the balanced team SB has created, with full use of Elmo, Brady and the rest to see if he can convert the service; I was very disappointed in the opportunity that SB gave him in the FA Cup, it was unfair and did not reflect any reality at all – but the guy scored, nevertheless!!
But I think the wisest words on here come from a few people who say no panic! I would rather not bring in anyone, than bring in the wrong one and the best judge of that is Decembers Manager of the Month!”
by VoiceNreason
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:35AM
“No reason to rush at all. Great words from Steve Bruce yet again. Even when the Jan window closes the emergency loan window opens up in february so city can act then. But as January comes to an end both players and there agents will get desperate and city may get the players they want much cheaper. Bruce is sending out a clear message to one and all. Only better quality will arrive. Ryan Tunnicliffe on loan could be the replacement for Koren in midfield if Koren has to nstay up top. Stockdale is a better cover for Jakupovic than Oxley. But time is on Citys side in both aspects at the moment. Well done to the Allams and Steve Bruce for running the club properly. Are you watching Bartlett, Duffen and co ????
UTT”
by tigertim53
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:33AM
“I just have the feeling that FC is angling for any club to pick him up at the moment. His contract is up and there will a gap in his income? So lets look around ah Hull City they are in a position to get back into the premiership lets see if I can create a stir letting them know through my agent how I enjoyed being there before I turned my back on them and came here. Cynical I know but would give some one else a go. Not sure who but I am not a manager. I am sure SB has a lot more ideas up his sleeve.”
by strummer1961
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:25AM
“I agree 100% with 'Sport_Trader.What is all the panic about?
We are sitting 2nd in the Table,we play excellent Football and if the mid-field want to chip in with goals every week then the more the merrier!!!
If Steve Bruce decides he needs an out and out goal-scorer then he'll bring the right man in,we have no fear on that score,but let's not forget the budget here.
It's highly possible that Bruce will look at a loanee rather than another signing.He's just spent 3.5 Million on 2 mid-fielders and obviously the wages will be of a decent amount.
'IF' he can persuade a Premiership quality striker to come on loan I'd like to think that bums on seats would pay the wages....”
by Sport_Trader
Friday, January 11 2013, 10:04AM
“Matt, Niall Quinn is no longer at Sunderland so what has he got to do with any decision relating to FC?
To be fair there seems to be a fair bit of flapping around at the moment regarding which striker/keeper we should sign, people are working themselves up into a full on frenzy and, to be quite honest, are making themselves look/sound like yapping poodles.
We are currently second in the division, and the calmest man that I see at the moment is Steve Bruce, I'm more than happy to leave him to decide on the incomings, he doesn't seem to have done too bad so far, and I'll support what ever decision he makes!”