Hull City v Derby County: Let's jump in driving seat of promotion race, says Steve Bruce
STEVE Bruce is urging his Hull City side to jump into the driving seat of the Championship promotion race with a victory over Derby County at the KC Stadium tonight.
In a fixture rearranged from last month, City host the Rams knowing they will climb above both Watford and Leicester City into second place if they can avoid defeat.
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Hull City manager Steve Bruce
The Tigers failed to capitalise on the same invitation when losing 1-0 at Brighton on Saturday, but will attempt to use three home games inside eight days as the stage to reclaim a coveted spot in the top two.
As well as hosting Nigel Clough's Derby this evening, City will also welcome Charlton Athletic this weekend and Blackburn Rovers a week from today.
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The trio of home games offers City a golden chance to recapture the momentum damaged by a run of one win in five, and Bruce is keen to see his troops wrestle back the initiative from their promotion rivals.
"Within the next couple of weeks we will be down to the last 10 games and this is traditionally a period when one team really picks up momentum," Bruce told the Mail.
"You see it every year in the Championship and the challenge is there for us to be that team.
"To have three home games inside a week is a great opportunity for us to put ourselves in the driving seat and get a run going.
"Nothing will be decided from these games because there's still a long way to go with a lot of points to play for. But if we can get up there into the automatic promotion places and put the points on the board then it would be a great situation to be in."
Asked if he had a points target in mind for the home games with Derby, Charlton and Blackburn, Bruce added: "I'm honestly not thinking that far ahead.
"The first test is Derby and our only concern is making the most of this chance. They're a very useful side and I've been impressed with their midfield all season.
"I'm expecting a tough game and I don't want anyone looking beyond it."
As the only side in the top five in action tonight, victory would guarantee that the Tigers host Charlton this weekend three points clear in second spot and back within eight points of runaway league-leaders Cardiff City.
A point would also be enough to reclaim a place in the Championship's automatic promotion places and Bruce wants his side to relish the rising stakes.
"Let's go out there and enjoy ourselves," added Bruce.
"We've done remarkably well to be there or thereabouts so let's go and enjoy it.
"We're joint second with 16 games to go and if we can put a good run together between now and the end of the season then we'll stand a great chance.
"There'll be plenty of points won and lost by all the teams around us, but if we can build a bit of momentum then we'll be up there, no doubt about it."
ALEX Bruce is rated as having a 50-50 chance of featuring in tonight's fixture after limping out of Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Brighton with a dead leg.
9 Comments
by Jack_Russell2
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 2:33PM
“Boyd is a winger.....haven't we got enough of them?
Non of this sitting back soaking up pressure tonight...we should go for the throat right from the start.....”
by SBankTiger39
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 11:46AM
“hove tiger.
I like your thinking re Stewart, but I think he is totally uninterested. If he wants out of city he should be chomping at the bit, but he doesn't seem to want to know. Part of me thinks he ain't interested in football one bit?
Surely Simpson is due a goal, but no goals in last 16 league and cup games and 16 games to go? Simple maths. According to the Mirror we are getting Boyd in on an expensive 3 month loan....?
Utt”
by hovetiger
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:43AM
“Back to the football eh? Promising signs that we are getting back to our best against Brighton with Quinn and the wing backs in particular looking good..having said that none of the next 3 games are a guaranteed 3 points. An early goal tonight would be good, but then again who is going to get it? Simpson despite his hard work and hold up play (Brighton excepted) just doesnt look like scoring but then again he is the only one with any sort of pace to stretch defences and force them deeper, thus giving the midfield and Koren more space to play. Maybe worth giving Stewart a spot on the bench with a view to seeing if he can do a Walcott?”
by SBankTiger39
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 10:04AM
“Rugby is ????te. KR beating FC in a friendly is the highlight of there season and FC will never win owt! Both useless. Football all the way. Now you fools do one and annoy someone else, I have to finish putting the rest of these pictures up ;)”
by elliot290307
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:21AM
“Come on Derby, put a nail in their promotion coffin.”
by kwright
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:14AM
“i used the word you would call a girl who gets about ,never realised it would do that”
by kwright
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 9:13AM
“typical fc nugget .pay your way ,you wouldnt have a problem ,there again you muppets use to **** off pearson when he was on the smc .”
by exbrannylad
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:48AM
“jimmysknees, nice to see a well reasoned and constructive comment, well done (p**ck)”
by jimmysknees
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 8:42AM
“allams are a disgrace”