Hull City will go all out for win at Crystal Palace's fortress Selhurst Park
STEVE Bruce has promised that his Hull City side will travel to Crystal Palace tonight unwilling to target anything less than victory over their Championship promotion rivals.
Fourth plays host to second in a mouth-watering clash at Selhurst Park this evening as the Tigers bid to tighten their grip on an automatic promotion place.
Only a win would guarantee City remain second, but the size of the task facing Bruce's men will be huge.
Not since losing to Watford on the opening day of the season have Palace lost at home in the Championship and a fourth straight win at Selhurst Park will move them up to within a point of City tonight.
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But Bruce is unfazed by the challenge and insists his in-form Tigers will arrive in the capital with eyes only on a victory of their own.
"I think supporters know me by now, I've not changed for anyone this season," said Bruce, buoyed by City's 5-2 win over Birmingham.
"No doubt about it, we'll be going down there to take them on and looking to win the game. Why should we change?
"It's not in our interests to change the way we go about it or try to hold on for a point.
"We know they've been a very strong side at home this season but that won't change how we go about it. We'll go there and have a go."
A full programme of Championship fixtures promises another big night in the promotion race and City will be aiming to hold on to second spot after they reclaimed it in style at the weekend.
The significance of the game is not lost on Bruce and he said: "There's still a long way to go but we all know it could be a big game for us.
"If we can go down there and beat them then we're looking at a lead of seven points with 10 games to go.
"I'm not saying that's enough but if we were to win five of our last 10 games, they'd probably have to win eight to stand a chance.
"That's a great opportunity for us but I'm sure they'll be targeting a win as well to get within a point of us. It's one of those games that could be very big for the winner."
City's preparations for tonight's game were exemplary as they ransacked Birmingham on Saturday to record a fourth win in five games and, in the process, banished memories of a 4-1 loss at Bolton seven days earlier.
Bruce has already turned his attentions to another challenge and wants to ensure City remain in the top two when the international break arrives after facing Nottingham Forest in 11 days.
"Everyone is buzzing after a win like that but there's also an understanding there's still a quarter of the season still to play.
"They've given themselves a wonderful chance of doing something special together this season, but that was just the start of a big fortnight. We set the challenge of being in the top two by the time the international break comes around and that's still our aim."
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by Roarytiger
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:34PM
“Why is Bruce getting in the team in front of Faye? Bruce is a calamity and not a patch on Faye who has proved a real force when he has played. Time for daddy Bruce to wake up and see we now have a problem. 4-1 loss at Bolton, beat a very poor Birmingham who made us look good and then get turned over by palace. I am no longer convinced we are top 2 material.”
by strummer1961
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:30PM
“Ray FC.Nice of you to take the time-out to come on and tell us all where we're going wrong..
Not the best of posts and a tad un-necessary if you ask me BUT....10/10 for your correct spelling of abysmal,secondary school beckons!!”
by RayFC
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:12PM
“City fans need to get a reality check , after they beat a vry poor Birmingham team last Saturday it was said that the heavy 4-1 defeat at Bolton the previous week was a blip well tonights result as shown it wasnt as another 4-2 beating and it would have been 5 goals but for Stockdales penalty save as firmly show that City are not as good as they think they are , they have conceded 10 goals in the last 3 games which hardley suggests that they are promotion material infact the defence ha been abysmal of late and also the fact that City have got the worst attack in the top 6 says if they are to get promotion it will have to be through the payoffs and thats a lottery in itself , yes City are now 3rd and are not as good as you fans think they are, Ray.”
by TheMouldsy
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 10:11PM
“Ouch!”
by Lythamtiger
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:50PM
“3 goals conceded in 8 minutes, pull one back, opposition score 4 minutes later. Hmmmm, sounds familiar........”
by bungleb0bs
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 9:47PM
“hcafcscarb. I think you,ve lost yer £10 ac***ulator. what a bad night me wife had offered me an early night as well.”
by HCAFCscarb
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 5:46PM
“Tonights £10 ac***ulator.
Cardiff City
Watford
Leicester City
Forest
HULL CITY”
by EuroTiger
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 4:10PM
“Ian Hollaway suffers from delusions of adequacey. Got a cure for you tonight laughing boy...”
by strummer1961
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 3:59PM
“This game has all the characteristics of being a 90 minute,no quarter given....crackerjack.
Their home record is stunning,our away record isn't far off that,they've got a top-notch goalscorer and we've got 2 lads thrown in over recent weeks who know how to damage their opponents!!
I'm finding it impossible to call this but it'll take a bang on form Palace to lower our colours..Good Luck tonight lads,a draw would be a decent return,a win would be a massive result!!UTT”
by 2biscuits
Tuesday, March 05 2013, 2:23PM
“Big game tonight,2 good footballing sides.
could be tight 0-0 or plenty of goals 3-3 its one of those games.
like to see either Faye or McShane in for Bruce Jnr tonight”