Ambitious Bruce sets target of 10 wins to give Tigers hope

They open their account at Chelsea on Sunday after returning to the top level for the first time since relegation three years ago.

Traditionally, it is always difficult for a promoted side to hold their own among the elite and, invariably, many head straight back down.

But Bruce – who took charge last June and immediately steered them to a Championship runners-up spot – has plenty of experience successfully battling against the odds in the Premier League with the likes of Wigan and Birmingham.

He hopes to call upon all his knowledge to handle what he knows could be some difficult times ahead.

“The big thing you have to do is not get too high with the wins or too low with the defeats,” he said.

“You can quite easily go two months without getting a victory in the Premier League, six or eight games where you find it very difficult.

“I hope my experience over the last 10 or 11 years in there will stand us in good stead, but make no mistake there will be some disappointing Saturday evenings.

“We have to set our stall out and I think we have to win 10 games. That’s got to be our aim.

“Win 10 games and they’d be enough to keep you up as you’re going to get five or six draws along the way.

“It sounds easy but as we know – and I know – it’s very, very difficult.”

Bruce, who concedes the top six sides are “unreachable”, has seen his hopes of fulfilling that principal goal substantially increased with the capture of Tottenham midfield duo Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore.

The cultured Huddlestone joins in a club record £5.25m deal on a three-year contract, while his team-mate joins on a season-long loan, although Hull can take up an option to sign the player on a permanent deal if they avoid relegation.

It takes Bruce’s summer signings to 10 and he said: “What we’ve managed to bring in will give us a huge chance of staying in the division especially with these two latest ones from Spurs.

“I think that’s got everyone sat up and noticing that we’re trying to do it, signing two England internationals like this.

“Huddlestone is just a fabulous football player who’s at the right age and is something we’ve been wanting to try bring in to the club a long, long time now; an ability to go pass the ball the way he can.

“There’s not many – left foot or right footed – that can pass the ball as good as Tim.

“Jake is someone we’ve been trying all summer to get and to roll the two into one deal was terrific.

“It’s not often you get a player of Jake’s ability on loan so I’m delighted and they both come straight in for Chelsea.”