Hull City need a ruthless edge, says Steve Bruce, after Leicester draw
STEVE Bruce was forced to reopen the inquest into Hull City's attacking faults after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by promotion rivals Leicester City.
The Tigers' perfect run through December was halted yesterday as former manager Nigel Pearson helped the Foxes to escape from the KC Stadium with a hard-fought point.
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So frustrating: Sone Aluko holds his head as a chance goes begging at the KC Stadium
Although both managers could point towards missed chances in an entertaining Boxing Day clash, it was the home side that spurned the game's best opportunities.
Jay Simpson and Abdoulaye Faye were both guilty of squandering gilt-edged openings to make it five wins on the bounce for City in front of a season-high 20,321 attendance.
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The stalemate, only the Tigers' third of the season, preserved their standing of second in the Championship, but afterwards Bruce made his frustrations clear.
"I felt we had the better chances, we certainly had the more clear-cut chances," said Bruce.
"Even though Eldin Jakupovic did well handling some difficult situations, the big chances went to us and we should have scored.
"Anyone that has seen us over the last four or five months, that frustration is the one we often have.
"I've seen some of the chances again and there were four or five opportunities where you really need to take at least one of them in the big games. That's the frustration for us all that we haven't been quite clinical enough."
Although City have made boundless progress under Bruce, winning 14 of their 24 games this term, the pursuit of a new striker will only intensify after this stalemate.
Despite scoring twice in all of their four victories that preceded yesterday's blank, City are the lowest scorers currently inside the top seven.
Bruce will attempt to bolster his attacking line in the January window, with ex-Tiger Fraizer Campbell top of his list, but knows it will be difficult.
"It's gnawing away at us all. It's not just the forwards, all round we have to contribute a bit more," he added.
"I was shouting 'Goal!' when I saw big Abdoulaye Faye running towards the ball for his chance.
"I hope it's not going to be our Achilles heel because some of the football was terrific to watch. I suppose that's why the strikers get paid the most money.
"We have to get someone that's proven. It's very difficult to do business in January and if there is someone, we'll try our utmost."
Despite Bruce's concerns, a point extended the Tigers' rich vein of form ahead of welcoming Leeds to the KC on Saturday.
A six-game unbeaten run continues to see them trailing only league-leaders Cardiff as the second half of the season got underway and Bruce was content to keep fifth-placed Leicester at arm's length.
"I've seen Leicester and Cardiff and those are the two teams to beat," he said.
"They've had a lot of investment in the last couple of years and they're the strongest teams I've seen so far.
"A draw was probably the fair result because they're a good side. At least we took something from it.
"We're disappointed that we haven't beaten one of the big teams in the division so that shows where we are at the moment. We had the best chances and didn't quite take them."
Fine margins for City – P52-53




Comments
by DannyJordan
Friday, December 28 2012, 8:44AM
“Think we should be looking into some arsenal youngster to play up top, somebody who can finish but can still play good football with Aluko and Simpson”
by merlin_
Thursday, December 27 2012, 8:44PM
“Strummer. We've had some frustrating January windows in the past but this time it seems different. Secure what we have and buy or borrow the needed goalscorers. No pressure there then!”
by merlin_
Thursday, December 27 2012, 8:29PM
“Costa
I agree we don't want to throw good money away but Steve has Fraizer on his list. There may be others available and I don't have a problem as long as who we get delivers. Campbell has had a serious injury but so have others.
Its all in the melting pot and well just have to wait and see who is available. We dont want to miss out and the Alllams may want to tempt the right players here at a premium if it delivers the jackpot.”
by strummer1961
Thursday, December 27 2012, 6:59PM
“I'm fairly confident that with Steve Bruce's Contacts,Knowledge and sales pitch,he'll bring us the goods in the form of a 'blow your socks off' signing in the New Year.
The frustration in Steve Bruce and his interviews and comments suggest that he's on the prowl already and if it means bringing in a striker of Premiership quality and standing he'll do just that.
'IF' he were to bring in a big name on a hefty salary,ticket sales would take off and the extra income would be more than enough to cover a loan player with wages in the region of 30k per week...
Steve Bruce has delivered already in terms of our league standing and style of Football.We require one final push in terms of an out and out Striker and Steve Bruce will deliver his promise to the Allams and all of us fans...Premiership Football next year!!!
Look at our tally for December,13 points out of a possible 15 is a phenominal return and could so easily been 15.UTT!!!”
by costatiger
Thursday, December 27 2012, 6:29PM
“Merlin,in answer to your question on Frazier Campbells attitude,one or two things were said that gave me the impression,little Hull City were below his standard and that he belonged in the premiership.I dont knock him for having ambition or wanting top dollar but i do feel his,or his fathers delaying tactics, were to use us as a stepping stone to bigger things.That was the impression i got from him although, its just my opinion.The facts are,his so called move to further his career hasnt really taken off and a tally of seven league goals from sixty odd appearances at the top level with Man Utd,Spurs and Sunderland suggest he,s not quite the player he thought he was! I agree,he was excellent for us in the championship,where his pace frightened defenders,but that was around five years ago and before his serious cruciate injury,of which he had a recurrence, forcing him to miss almost two seasons.When your main attribute is pace and you suffer that type of injury,you,re not the same player if you lose some of that pace and while i admire your sales pitch,i actually thought you were describing Ronaldo at first lol,he would be a sensible target only as a loan signing,certainly too risky for splashing silly money on unless he proves otherwise.We did that once with Bullard and we all know what happened there!!”
by GreenEyedEddy
Thursday, December 27 2012, 3:32PM
“I am so jealous of what's going on at Caravan Park.
First the North stand is being built and now new investment is on the cards. My therapist says if I don't calm down he will section me again and send me to Rampton. Stevo has ignored me this Christmas and Dobbo's surgeon sent this card to me and my civil partner Jason.
http://tinyurl.com/cm7a6mk
Jason fainted when he read it. Looks like my round of golf has gone down the pan on New Years Day. I will continue to post frenzied rubbish until the Hull Daily Fail ban me again.
Love Dr Eddy (PhD) xx”
by Removal Man Hull - Local & Nationwide Removals & Storage
Thursday, December 27 2012, 3:17PM
“need striker, looks like woods at leicster for 1.25m pound. Didn't know the window was open yet though??”
by qualitychap
Thursday, December 27 2012, 2:41PM
“I've said for ages with the loss of fryatt,our only natural striker,we will not convert enough of the many chances we create,having said that,some of our attacking play at times is excellent,great to see aluko back,who is a handfull but tired as expected in the 2nd half,jay Simpson who as improved so much,but still not clinical enough.
would have played olofinjana,with the loss of meyler who we missed,my worry was our slow start to the 2nd half,infact Leicester dominated,for half an hour,we looked tired,but we finished strong,i thought a good point against a good Leicester side,who will definitely top 6,now focus on Leeds,who will be hurt after forest defeat,city will have to be at there best for victory,is myler still here ?,if so id bring him in for Evans,or olofinjana back,and probably play Koren up front with aluko,with Simpson on the bench.
I'm delighted with city and the club and good to see 20.000 at the kc.UTT.”
by TigerSteve50
Thursday, December 27 2012, 1:53PM
“I would be having a serious look at Chris Wood who is at West Brom but on loan at Millwall. Scoring plenty and a real handful for defenders. Campbell won't come here if his father has anythng to do with it, all about money with Frazier I'm afraid”
by 8_Figuresums
Thursday, December 27 2012, 12:50PM
“Hull Kingston Rovers are the biggest sporting team in the world and are known by everyone.
I am also obsessed with Adam Pearson and Hull City attendances.”