Hull City must reproduce free-scoring form on travels, says Steve Bruce
STEVE Bruce has challenged his Hull City side to reproduce their new-found attacking prowess on the road when they face a stern test of their early-season promise this week.
A 4-1 win over Millwall fired the Tigers up to fourth in the Championship on Saturday and continued the club's most profitable opening to a campaign since 2004-05.
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Steve Bruce barks out the orders at the KC Stadium
City's attentions quickly turn towards a trip to fierce rivals Leeds United tomorrow night, before a testing week on their travels ends with a reunion with former boss Nigel Pearson at Leicester City on Sunday.
Although flawless at home with three victories from three under Bruce, the Tigers are without a win on their travels since March.
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But Bruce believes trips to Leeds and Leicester will provide a valuable yardstick for his side's progress.
He said: "It's a big week now. Let's see how good we really are.
"Let's take the performance from this game and that has to be the challenge I set out for them.
"We need to go to Elland Road and have the confidence to take them on and play the way we can in an intimidating atmosphere."
City's preparations ahead of an eagerly-anticipated week could not have been better.
Picking up where they had left off before the international break, the Tigers produced a complete first half to demolish Millwall at the KC Stadium to record a second consecutive win.
Goals from Robert Koren, Jay Simpson, Aboulaye Faye and Sone Aluko saw City score four goals before the break for the first time since January 1999 when Hartlepool were picked apart at Boothferry Park.
Millwall eventually shored up their defence after half-time to limit the damage, but Bruce believes his side are a match for any team in the Championship when producing the "electrifying" football that thrilled the KC Stadium.
"Some of the stuff in the first half was terrific and there wouldn't be many teams who could have matched us hitting those standards," said Bruce.
"I want them to express themselves and play. Too often, in our country anyway, we get too nervous and edgy. We've got to try and encourage people to play.
"Of course when you take that approach you're going to make mistakes every now and again, but I'd rather have it that way.
"I enjoyed watching us and it's our job to entertain. We've got to be very pleased but it's only the start hopefully."
Bruce hopes both Seyi Olofinjana and Alex Bruce will be fit for tomorrow's trip to Leeds after they were withdrawn as a precautionary measure and he has vowed not to drift from the 3-5-2 shape that is reaping prolific returns.
"We'll go to Leeds and Leicester and have a go," he said. "One thing's for certain I'm not going to change it now.
"Teams are coming here and changing their shape to deal with us and they've come unstuck.
"The difficult thing for me was to change the mentality in the way we play but this system suits the players we've got here.
"And believe me, we've got some very talented players here. When Simpson, Aluko, Koren and Stephen Quinn play, they are a handful."
• 2pm UPDATE: Seyi Olofinjana will miss tomorrow's game against Leeds United with a hamstring injury, Hull City said this afternoon.
Comments
by youuuhull
Wednesday, September 19 2012, 1:32PM
“Did anyone see a replay of the goalline dave in the Millwall game? Did the ball cross?”
by BevRonTiger
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 11:42AM
“As AmberTiger states 75 goal attempts is fantastic & considering the way that we're managing to convert the chances at home, it's bewildering that we can't manage to do so away but I'm sure that with the newfound confidence that the lads are showing that will all change, hopefully this week. We had a super away record under NP, let's hope it is revived this week to bite him on the bum.”
by Tigerjim
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 11:08AM
“Can't believe it's Tuesday already. We're going into this game with expectations high. That has a nasty habit of biting you on the bum, but we MUST go to Leeds in a positive frame of mind believing we can win and win well. It would be a huge psychological blow to Leeds and an immense confidence boost to our young squad to really establish ourselves as serious contenders.
A third win on the bounce away at Leeds would catch the attention. Good luck tonight to all travelling to the game. Wish I could be there! UTT!”
by tiggerjack
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 10:35AM
“Scooter shocker for ye you KN@b i don't have a season ticket. I didn't renew mine for the second season in the prem. It still leaves a sour taste in the mouth what city did with away ticket allocation the first premier year. However i had held a season ticket for 20 tears before that. Also i find it difficult to get to every home game living in West Yorkshire. However my point is this, no matter how skint people are i bet if we get to the prem again people will find the money to purchase a season ticket, and i dare say you may fall into that bracket. But now is the time when city need our support not just for the glory of being in the premier league. I will maybe see 20 games home or away this seaon and you are right i don't hold myself above any other city supporter no matter if they watch one match or all 46 in a season. What i do expect a 'supporter' to do is at least get to a few games to 'support' the club. How many games will you watch this season scooter?”
by MikeMadrid
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 9:55AM
“We now know we can score, We have a new found confidence. Leeds will be scared. We are going to attack. How nice not to see 5 in defence, one in attack and just the hope of the odd breakaway. We'll play like we're at home tonight. It won't be a hatful, but I agree with a 2-1 win.”
by George_Tiger
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 9:27AM
“@Scooter - I agree it doesn't make people less of a fan, although it does if you buy a season pass if we get in the prem. I think that is the point tigger jack was making. Now lets all be friends as it has never been such a good time to be a HCAFC fan! Seven goals in two games?!? A premiership manager?!? Simpson scoring for fun - what more do you want!
UTT!!!!”
by scooter234
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 7:01AM
“@tiggerjack, just because some us actually prefer to food on the table and fuel in the car rather than buy a season ticket, does not make us any less a fan of the Tigers than you!!, kn@b”
by BigBillyBilly
Tuesday, September 18 2012, 1:35AM
“Leeds and Leicester both lost at the weekend.How would you feel if City lost two on the bounce right now? Well yes,that's how THEY'LL be feeling! If we win either of these games that would be an achievement hard-earned,but this now is our measure.Can we beat a motivated team? If you're Leeds United you have to cope with that every game,because as we all know,EVERYONE hates Leeds,and most people take pity on Hull,frankly.
Now we're the team with a couple of eye-catching results chalked up.We have to learn to block out the peripherals and play our game,but I have never been so sure as now that we can do just that.Come what may,this team is going places!”
by merlin_
Monday, September 17 2012, 10:16PM
“See the photo caption for this story..
Mail writers/sub-editors please note -IF Steve was manager of the Terriers, he might "bark" out orders. But in fact he is manager of the Tigers and therefore might be expected instead to "roar" out his instructions.
Also whilst I am on a soapbox, these pesky adverts are getting a real pain from time to time superimposing themselves across the comments. Also the audio is really in your face. Is the Mail r4eally trying to pizza off people. Makes you wonder given the out of date league table we have recently suffered.”
by Ambertigerfan
Monday, September 17 2012, 7:52PM
“Now here's an interesting statistic from the BBC's preview of City and Leeds:
Although Hull City have mounted an unequalled 75 goal attempts in Championship games home and away, they are yet to find the net on their league travels.
Unequalled 75 goal attempts in the Championship! Say no more on SB's impact!!!! What a turn around!”