'Stay grounded': Classy Hull City joint top after win at Derby but Bruce wants level heads
STEVE Bruce urged his Hull City side to keep their feet on the ground, despite storming up to second in the Championship with a 2-1 win at Derby County.
Goals from Robert Koren and Abdoulaye Faye either side of Michael Jacobs' leveler in first-half stoppage time led City to a fourth consecutive victory last night and their 10th win in 14 games.
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Hull City celebrate Robert Koren's goal in the 2-1 win at Derby
The perfect December, with wins against Nottingham Forest, Watford, Huddersfield and now Derby, has propelled the Tigers above Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace, and leveller on points with league-leaders Cardiff City.
City's automatic promotion rivals will have the opportunity to wrestle back the initiative when in action today, but a climb to their highest position since relegation from the Premier League has provided the Tigers' with a timely boost at the halfway mark of the season.
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Bruce was thrilled with his side's efforts but called for level heads as they turn their attentions to home games against Leicester and Leeds in the next week.
"It's nice and it gives us a bit of a lift. I feel as though we're still going under the radar and that's the way I've wanted it all along," Bruce said. "But we've given ourselves a chance. That's all it is because we're only halfway there, but it's a great chance.
"I don't feel as though it's a fluke that we're joint top of the league. The question is whether or not we can sustain it over the winter and mount a challenge all the way through.
"We have to keep our feet on the ground and work hard over a difficult Christmas period ahead."
Bruce was again thrilled with his side's efforts on the road last night and added: "Away from home, sometimes you have to be a bit resilient and defend. We certainly did that.
"Derby are a good side and you could see why they've got one of the best records here. We found it difficult in the first half but in the second half we got a grip of it and I felt we were terrific. All in all it was another great display."
City's hard-fought victory had similarities with the triumphs at Birmingham, Forest and Watford.
Although not at their fluent best, the resilience of a well-drilled defence helped City to become only the second side to snatch three points from Pride Park.
The Tigers' win also owed plenty to debutant Eldin Jakupovic in goal. A spectacular save to deny Paul Coutts in the second half was the highlight of his night and Bruce paid tribute to his impact.
"I thought he was terrific. I said from the start that when you bring in a foreign player you've got to give them time. We're seeing that with Nick Proschwitz as well," Bruce said.
"It's not been easy for Eldin. He's been in a dark place at times, but he did very well and I'm delighted for him."
Comments
by aIbanyrovers
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 8:21PM
“ginger was waring a short dark blue jacket and nothing else . he is very hairy like a monkey , i hope he didnt catch cold , i love big rufty tufty men like ginger .”
by aIbanyrovers
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 8:06PM
“i hid in the crown car park last night to watch the fight . ginger was stomping up and down he was proper mad . i swooned with excitement when he started bashing his head against the wall at 3 AM . it took him a long time to realize hed been duped he he he . tonight i will dress up my teddy robin in kinky underware and grapple with him .”
by HarborIites
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 3:04PM
“Ginger Beer completely owned on the RL threads last night, no cred left whatsoever. Stick to the Football threads my friend.
All success to the Tigers this season, my guess is they will achieve an automatic promotion place.”
by HCAFCscarb
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 3:29AM
“PS
just follow what strummer says because he is right 99% of the time and no one can be right 100% of the time...
Not even me !!”
by HCAFCscarb
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 3:25AM
“of course that should say 100 quid of mine against 50 quid of yours that we WOULD SELL OUT in the premier league .
we could get 35,000 for some games....”
by HCAFCscarb
Tuesday, December 25 2012, 3:24AM
“ANYONE saying we would not sell out in the Premier League would you like to bet on it ??
100 quid of my money against 50 quid of mine says o yes we will
Increase size of stadium and ticket prices WILL be reduced...
WHY ?
BECAUSE THE ALLAMS SAY SO AND THE ALLAMS HAVE BEEN 100% HONEST SINCE THEY SAVED OUR CLUB
anyone who dares to doubt the Allams now needs there heads looking at..
The Negs have sure had it stuck up em....
Havent they Merlin...
and where has veneztiger gone with his ANTI Allam RANTS he made 10 times a day everyday..
ITS Fab looking back at some of the trash Merlin spouted about the Allams.... you owe them a public boot licking Merlin.....
" where have all the neg heads gone.....hiding under there stones everyone...."
EEEE I EEE I EEE I O
UP THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE WE GO....
of course the biggest neg heads and wums where the HDM with so many pathetic made up storys
aimed at turning the fans against the Allams and against HULL CITY
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.......EVEN YOU MR MERLIN....
-------------------------
MANAGER ON THE CHEAP..
NO MONEY TO SPEND..
JUST FREE TRANSFERS...
ONLY INTRESTED IN THE WALTON STREET CAR PARK..
WOULD FLOG THE CLUB THEY HAD PAID 50 MILLION FOR.. [ when the club was only worth about 3 million]
ONLY WANTED THE LAND.....{ when they could have bought half of hull for less }
HO HO HO
what stupid stupid storys from the HDM
and INSANE posts from the NEGS...
BUT AS ME AND STRUMMER SAID.......EVERYTHING IS GONNA WORK OUT JUST FINE.....
SOME FOOLS EVEN MOANED WHEN THE ALLAMS APPOINTED STEVE BRUCE !!!!!
LOL LOL ROFL PMSL LOL LOL
keep behind the team what ever happens......
simple as that and dont cry if we lose a game here and there...”
by strummer1961
Monday, December 24 2012, 10:25AM
“Does anyone posting on here seriously think that if we were involved in the play-offs(personally I hope and pray we are good enough for Automatic),money would be too tight and the poor down-trodden residents of Hull would be too skint to afford a trip to Wembley?
I recall the last visit to London and the un-precedented clamour for tickets...I couldn't get a match day ticket for love nor money(after supporting and travelling to many games that season).
I ended up forking out £265 for a corporate,all-inclusive package.Best day of my Footballing life and certainly no complaints on the day I had...But come off it with the persistent whinging about un-employment and lack of work in Hull.
The whole Country is stalling at the moment!!! and Hull City's primary problem seems to be part-time fans only prepared to support the Club in the Premiership against more fashionable opposition.”
by tiggerjack
Monday, December 24 2012, 1:57AM
“sorry should say 'forward thinking'”
by tiggerjack
Monday, December 24 2012, 1:56AM
“One more thing, interesting to read that Swansea after their second season in the premiership at the end of this season are starting work to improve the capacity of their stadium by 12000. Good to see forward thing coucils in other parts of Great Britain. We are still run by fossils.”
by tiggerjack
Monday, December 24 2012, 1:53AM
“How about this for an idea where prices for entry into games is concerned. Have discount periods leading up to matches. i.e. If you purchase your ticket 3 weeks in advance they should be offered at a cheaper price as with buying travel tickets etc. For instance if you buy a bus ticket to London well in advance it can cost as little as a pound. Although i am not saying you would sell match day tickets for a pound mererly give an incentive of lets say 25 percent of the match day price, if the ticket is bought in the first week of tickets been made available, then 15 percent for second week of ticket sales for said particular match. In real terms that could see people being able to purchase matchday tickets for for say less than 20 quid if bought well in advance.
Just a thought on how to get more people through the turn styles in these tough economic times.
May you all have a fantastic festive period and 6 more points before new year.”