Hull City v Watford: Bruce believes grit shown in derby win will stand Hull in good stead

The Tigers host closest rivals Watford tonight in the game of the Easter period for Yorkshire football.

Hull, four points clear of the chasing pack following Crystal Palace’s defeat yesterday at Blackpool, know that victory over the Hornets would be a giant stride towards a top-flight return.

Bruce is the first to admit that claiming a second win of the holiday weekend will not be easy, especially as Watford boast the highest goals tally in the top four divisions of English football.

However, the Hull chief also believes the manner of Saturday’s gritty victory at Huddersfield Town proves that his team have what it takes to prevail in the heat of a promotion battle.

Bruce said: “Everyone wants to play scintillating football and we did that until the New Year. But, since then, a lot of pitches have been in poor nick because the winter has been horrible.

“It was the case at Huddersfield and it is the same with ours. The ball (against the Terriers) was bouncing round the players’ knees and all sorts.

“I think if I had been able to put a really, really fantastic team on that pitch then they would struggle to play.

“But that is what the Championship is. You can play well, but you also need to have something about you to get three points on nights like it was against Huddersfield.

“So, when playing on these pitches, you have to be able to dig in and show the other side of your game.

“We have done that at Millwall, Burnley and now Huddersfield. We have shown that bit of resilience and are showing our teeth.”

Stephen Quinn remains a doubt tonight with the knee injury that kept the midfielder out against Huddersfield, while David Meyler starts a two-game ban after collecting his 10th yellow card of the season against Mark Robins’s men.

The loss of the January signing from Sunderland will be keenly felt, not least because Meyler scored in Hull’s 2-1 victory at Vicarage Road in December.

Bruce, however, insists the togetherness of his squad will come to the fore in front of what the Tigers manager hopes is a bumper crowd at the KC Stadium.

He said: “The whole squad came to the Huddersfield game, they all wanted to show their support. That shows the good spirit we have.”

Watford go into tonight’s contest on the back of their worst run of the season. The Good Friday draw at home to Watford was a big disappointment considering Gianfranco Zola’s side led going into stoppage time.

Bruce’s side, meanwhile, have been the epitome of Championship inconsistency with their last six games having seen a defeat followed by a win.

Last six games: Hull City LWLWLW, Watford WDWLLD.

Last time: Hull City 3 Watford 2; October 22, 2011; Championship.

Referee: R Madley (West Yorkshire).