Arrival of Bruce sees fresh hope for Simpson at Tigers

For Jay Simpson, very much Hull City’s forgotten man after being shipped out on loan to Millwall for much of last season, this summer was always going to be a case of make or break for his career at the KC Stadium.

The 23-year-old may have arrived in the East Riding amid much fanfare from Arsenal in the summer of 2010 but little had gone right since then.

His first season under Nigel Pearson, who pipped Yorkshire rivals Leeds United to the highly-rated forward, had brought 32 Championship appearances. But it took until his 16th game in a Tigers shirt to play the full 90 minutes, something he managed on just three other occasions in 2010-11.

Last term was even worse from Simpson’s perspective as he spent just eight minutes on the field before being sent out on loan to The Den, where he netted four goals in 16 outings.

To most observers of Hull football, a move away from the KC seemed likely in the summer. That was, however, until the arrival of Steve Bruce, who promised to give everyone an opportunity before deciding the make-up of his squad.

It is a chance that Simpson has taken with two goals, including a late winner against Brighton on the opening day, already to his name along with a man of the match display in City’s impressive victory over Bolton a fortnight ago.

Today, he is likely to once again spearhead the Tigers attack against the club where he sought refuge for most of last season.

“Things are going pretty well,” said the City forward, who is in the final year of his contract at the club.

“The gaffer has been great. When he first came in he said to me that it was a clean slate for everyone and that everyone would get their chance.

“That gave me the belief that if I did well in training, I would get my chance.

“He signed Nick (Proschwitz) and maybe he was under pressure to play him, I don’t know. But it shows that he has been true to his word from the beginning.

“That is pleasing for me to see that belief. He is a manager with a great CV and at a very good level.

“When a new manager comes in you want to believe what they are saying to you, but sometimes you hear the words and don’t see the action.

“That makes it very difficult to keep going.

“The manager has stuck to his word, though, and I can’t knock him for it.

“Being here is like a new start since he came in. I am refreshed and enjoying my football again. It has been a very difficult two years here.

“For me, it has felt as though the time has been pretty much wasted.

“I wanted to come here and kick on but that is very difficult when, regardless of how you are performing, you don’t get an opportunity.”

Simpson’s chance under Bruce came when brought off the bench with nine minutes of the opening day clash against Brighton remaining. It took him a little under four minutes to net the winner.

A first start followed against Doncaster Rovers in the Capital One Cup, when he scored and then hit the post just before David Syers netted what turned out to be the winner.

Four days later, he was again in the starting line-up as Bolton were beaten 3-1 with the one-time Arsenal apprentice creating Stephen Quinn’s debut goal.

Also in the starting line-up for the first time this season against Wanderers was Seyi Olofinjana, who like Simpson has had a year out on loan since joining Hull and found appearances hard to come by under a succession of managers.

“I am delighted to see Olly playing as well,” said Simpson about the Nigerian international who spent 2010-11 on loan with Cardiff City.

“When you see him work hard every day in training, you always hope he gets a chance.

“The new manager has come in and made some great signings but also rejuvenated some of the lads who were in the shadows.

“I definitely feel like I am one of them. Olly is a good friend of mine and I would feel bad for him at times last year but we helped each other through our bad patches.

“It is good to see everyone having a fair crack at it.”

Hull’s efforts to sign David Meyler on loan from Sunderland appear to have been dashed – at least in the interim – after Martin O’Neill confirmed the Premier League club wanted to keep the midfielder at the Stadium of Light.

It is a blow for Bruce, who had been pursuing the Republic of Ireland international for several weeks.

A more pressing concern today, however, is the visit of Millwall as City look to retain the place in the play-offs they earned before the international break by defeating Bolton.

For Simpson, a reunion with the Lions will be something to savour after the year he spent at The Den.

He said: “It is going to be a really good game.

“Their supporters are a lively bunch and having got to know a lot of the lads and the management last year, I know they are a decent side.

“Millwall have a tradition, the club as a whole, to be difficult to play against – especially at the Den but when they travel they’re always in your face and never pull out of a tackle.

“It has been that way for years in the way that they play the game.

“I know the manager is trying to bring more football into the side but they never lie down.

“But we’re really looking forward to it.

“The break didn’t come at a good time as when you are playing and you are playing well, you want the games to come thick and fast.”

As for his future beyond the end of his contract expiring next summer, Simpson insists his focus is elsewhere at the moment after being brought in from the cold by Bruce.

“The end of the season is a long way away,” he said, “And I will just take it as each day comes.

“Staying in the team will be the hardest job and I am only concentrating on scoring as many goals as I can.”

[email protected]