'Robust' Hull City will roll up their sleeves again at Brighton, says Steve Bruce
STEVE Bruce believes Hull City have nurtured a robust togetherness that will ensure their place in the Championship promotion battle will not be surrendered lightly.
This evening's televised trip to play-off hopefuls Brighton will see the Tigers put the division's best away record to the test as they attempt to strengthen their claims on an automatic promotion place.
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Midfield role?: Alex Bruce
A seven-game unbeaten run away from the KC Stadium has returned 17 points from a possible 21 and Bruce points towards last weekend's 1-0 victory at Millwall as a sure sign City carry the hallmarks of a leading contender.
He told the Mail: "We're starting to get that spirit amongst this group of lads where they can look around the dressing room and say 'I'm glad he's on my side'.
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"That's vital at this stage of the season. There's an encouraging togetherness about them and we've proved consistently this season that we're a difficult side to beat.
"They were all at it against Millwall and they had to be. They rolled their sleeves up and took the game to them.
"We've been fantastically resilient away from home over the last couple of months. It's seven games unbeaten so on our travels I think we've done terrifically well over a long period."
Although a fall to fourth was confirmed with Watford's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last night, City have not lost on their travels since a 2-0 defeat at Cardiff on November 10 and have since claimed victories at Birmingham, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Derby and Millwall.
That heartening record will be tempered by a dismal history at Brighton and not since 1965 have City claimed three points on the Sussex coast.
Brighton have their own promotion ambitions under Gus Poyet and sit in eighth, but Bruce sensed no fear in his troops ahead of their longest away trip of the season.
"Brighton will be tough, make no mistake, they're very good at home," he said.
"I watched the Newcastle game (a 2-0 win in the FA Cup) and they were exceptional.
"There's plenty of decent players there, but I honestly don't think anything fazes us in this division.
"The belief is there every week that they can go anywhere and get a result."
Bruce will be forced to make at least one change from the side that claimed a valuable win at Millwall, with Abdoulaye Faye missing with a calf injury.
Jack Hobbs is standing by to come straight in, but the role of Alex Bruce could also have a bearing.
The manager's son was handed a holding midfield berth at The Den and retained the position when making his Northern Ireland debut in a 0-0 draw against Malta on Tuesday. While he could easily slot back into defence in place of Faye, another midfield role may well be on the cards.
"Alex has played there before for Ipswich many times and he's comfortable in possession," said the City boss.
"He's not played it a lot recently and to play there twice in a week we might just need to assess his fitness. The one thing is he'll never let anyone down."
6 Comments
by strummer1961
Saturday, February 09 2013, 7:22PM
“Did somebody forget to tell Meyler to roll his sleeves up?Apart from his goal last week can anybody tell us what exactly his contribution is?
Another missed opportunity but more worrying....Strikers feeding off scraps again!!!!”
by strummer1961
Saturday, February 09 2013, 1:38PM
“Yep good humour Merlin...keep it coming!!
This evenings match will be a fairly stern test but I'm fairly confident we can grab all 3 points.We are a good solid outfit away from home and if we can get our mid-field passing and moving early on in the game we look a decent bet.
I would've thought Bruce might have given Gedo a start from the off,what have we got to lose?
I'd rather see Gedo on than Koren out of position!!
Big danger for them comes from Mackail-Smith,decent player who would be an asset at our Club...Can't we buy him Brucie?”
by FodTiger
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:08AM
“TYPO: 1965 not 85...”
by Sport_Trader
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:06AM
“Fully agree Merlin, Gedo & Fathi could well be the catalysts that push us on.
I'm certain, especially with the current troubles in Egypt, that these boys will be desperate to carve out a footballing and secure financial future for themselves in England. I really can see them both being pivotal in seeing us return to the Premier League at the end of this season, and the major difference this time around will be that we won't be having to coax last pay day mercenaries into joining us, as we will already have the backbone of a squad that will be good enough to establish ourselves there!”
by FodTiger
Saturday, February 09 2013, 11:06AM
“Merlin like others on this board, I've not always agreed with some of your views and posts. But one thing you never fail to do is amuse me with your quirky one liners. These have made you one of my favourite posters, because even if a post by you infuriates me there is always something in there that just makes me crack up. I remember being at work and there were a few quiet days ( I'm a 360 machine driver by trade) and you were having a constant b***h fest with somebody on here. I would normally skip through the all the bickering but this was better than a soap opera and your wit kept me entertained for hours. So cheers for that! Besides your " Anti Allam" days I actually agree with most of your views. Anyway enough Bro Love....
Gedo and Fathi will both be on the bench, I think that is pretty garanteed. I think most of us would be very surprised if Gedo were to start. If we can keep it tight though and bring Gedo on for the final 20 or so, he could well be the difference maker.
This lad, we hope anyway, could be a huge for us in the ramaining months. looking at some of his videos his movement looks great and his finishing from crosses by Fathi is class. The though of him doing that for us with balls in by Brady, Elmo and Fathi is mouthwatering.
We may not have won at Brighton since 1985 but when was the last time we won at Brizzle city before this season? or Millwall?
I'd love your 1-4 to come in Merlin but I'd just as happily take a 0-1!
Safe trip for all you guys and gals heading down there, make some noise!
UTT!”
by merlin_
Saturday, February 09 2013, 9:42AM
“Get GEDO on to the pitch. II have strong feeling this guy IS going to make an immediate impact. Brucey just needs two words of Egyptian. Ball- Goal. Simple. Go for it and make Brighton the team to get the hammering that has been promised all season. The chances are there and just need putting away. Lets hope for a 4-1 today. Some people might think I am an optimist - but in fact I have never conducted an eye examination in my life!”