Bruce urges table-topping Hull players to keep feet on ground

STEVE BRUCE insists that summit fever is not in the equation – despite seeing his Hull City side rise inexorably to the top of the Championship on Tuesday night.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce.Hull City manager Steve Bruce.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce.

The Geordie has orchestrated a remarkable transformation job in East Yorkshire following the deep-seated disappointment of relegation from the top-flight in May.

It means the expectancy among a big KC Stadium crowd is likely to be back in abundance in Saturday’s mouth-watering home match with fellow high-fliers Middlesbrough.

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The Tigers head into the game in stellar form, having clinched four successive wins and clean sheets, the latest of which arrived in Tuesday night’s 2-0 success at Brentford, which followed victory by an identical scoreline on the road at MK Dons.

But the sagacious side of Bruce came to the fore after their midweek win at Griffin Park, with the Tigers chief more inclined to glance at their lofty status in a compact top end of the table, if it was mid-spring and not late autumn. He said: “It’s always nice to be top of the league but it’s early to hit the top. All of a sudden now there will be an expectation to deal with.

“We’ve got 31 points from 15 games and that’s what matters.

“As long as we keep our feet on the ground and don’t get carried away, we’ve a chance because of the quality we’ve got. We’ve got to keep working hard and be honest.

“Being top of the league doesn’t make too much difference just yet, especially when teams around us keep winning, but it’s good to see.

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“It’s a big game on Saturday now and we’ve got to look to keep our run going up to the international break.”

Hartlepool have completed the signing of defender Adam Jackson on a one-month loan from Middlesbrough.