Hull v Liverpool: Forget discontent as you have massive role to play, Bruce tells Tigers fans

The Tigers host Liverpool tonight in what is their game in hand on several of the other sides locked in relegation trouble.

Arsenal then visit the KC Stadium on Monday next week, five days before Hull’s fellow strugglers Burnley make the trip to the East Riding.

Hull gave their hopes a major lift with victory at Crystal Palace, but the weekend trip to south London did witness chants against chairman Assem Allam and the plans to rebrand as ‘Hull Tigers’.

Banners reading ‘Allam Out’ also appeared at strategic routes across the city late on Friday night, including on the A63 and Newland Avenue.

Bruce, a big admirer of the Tigers’ chairman, admits to being surprised to both hear the dissent at Selhurst Park and see the unfurling of a giant banner that read ‘For the good of football….we say no! Allam Out’.

“Supporters have a massive role to play,” said Hull’s boss. “At any ground, there is usually an edge under the lights and I hope they come in full cry (tonight) and that they also come to get behind the team.

“That will be vitally important. It (the banner and anti-Allam chanting) surprised me at Palace.

“Firstly, the owners don’t deserve that, in my mind.

“Secondly, this is a time when we all need to stick together. All the supporters and us, from top to bottom.

“We are up against it and need no distractions. It is hard enough when you have got a clear path in front of you with no distractions.

“We need them all behind the team and forget about a name change and any other grievances. We need them right behind the team.”

Hull can move four points clear of third-bottom Sunderland with victory tonight.

Captain Michael Dawson believes Hull are capable of beating Liverpool at the KC for the second consecutive season.

“We have some top teams coming here,” said the defender. “But we will have the fans behind us. Of the games we have to play, Burnley, you look at and think, ‘That’s the game you have to win’. But they will be saying the same.

“There is no doubt, though, that we need to pick up points elsewhere. We can’t only focus on Burnley. We focus on Liverpool because that is our main aim at this moment in time.”

Match preview: Page 18