Leeds United v Hull City: Who will get more stick – me or Alex? muses Hull chief Bruce

As captain of the team the locals most love to hate, Bruce experienced first-hand the venom that was invariably thrown the way of Manchester United whenever they made the short trip across the Pennines.

The atmosphere tonight is unlikely to be anywhere near those fever pitch levels when Bruce makes his first visit to Leeds in charge of the Tigers, but the 51-year-old knows his side will face a stiff examination of their encouraging start to the season.

Not, however, that the Hull chief is anticipating his players being anything but full of confidence as they look to claim their club’s first win at Leeds since September, 1987 – since when the meetings between the two Yorkshire rivals have brought two draws and four home victories.

Bruce told the Yorkshire Post: “Going to Elland Road is always a fixture that people look forward to, regardless of the club you are at. Leeds United are Leeds United and a club with a big history.

“When I went there as a player, it was always hostile. That’s the only way of describing it. But that was a long, long time ago.

“I don’t know if we can call it a derby considering the distance between the two cities but it is certainly one that will have an edge.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of taking on a Leeds side that has probably had as many changes as our own.”

Bruce, thanks to his Old Trafford connections, is likely to be afforded his usual less than warm welcome from the natives when taking his place in the away dugout.

Son Alex, who joined Hull in the summer on a free transfer after two years at Elland Road, could also be given a rough reception.

“It will be interesting to see who gets the most stick,” laughed the Hull manager when asked about Alex, who has been outstanding since coming into the team.

“Me or him? My guess would be me.

“What I will say is Alex, at this level, will never, ever let you down. He is a good player.

“Unfortunately, he has had it (accusations of nepotism) since he was nine years old. He has had to live with a lot of rubbish because I am his dad but, as he has shown already with us, the boy can play.”

As with last season’s early-season visit by Hull, there is an air of discord among the home supporters at off-field events at Elland Road.

Chants against chairman Ken Bates have been heard at several games already this season as a section of fans continue to push for a much-touted takeover by a Middle East group to go through. An advert paid for by the Supporters Trust has also been erected on a lamppost directly outside the main entrance to the East Stand that reads ‘Time for Change’.

As an opposing manager, the sound of the natives voicing their discontent is invariably music to the ears.

Bruce, though, insists the focus for his own side is solely on maintaining the standards they set in the recent back-to-back home wins over Bolton Wanderers and Millwall.

The Hull chief said: “Whatever is going on at Leeds is not something we are worried about at all. It won’t be featuring in my team-talk or anything like that.

“We will go and concentrate on our own job, which means playing like we have in our last two home games. Maintaining that consistency and those standards is all I am concerned about.

“Obviously, those two displays came at home so the task now is to take that kind of performance on the road. Whether we can do that, we will see this week (against Leeds and Leicester City).

“What I will say, though, is the lads are flying and can’t wait to take on Leeds.”

Hull, who sit fourth in the fledgling Championship table, netting seven goals in the last two home games has come as a welcome change of fortune at a club who last season found the net 47 times in 46 league games.

Bruce’s signings – six were in the starting line-up on Saturday against Millwall – and a switch of formation to 3-5-2 with Joe Dudgeon and Ahmed Elmohamady playing as out-and-out wing backs has been the major factor in the Tigers finding the net so freely.

The challenge now is to transport that attacking fluency to games on the road, as Bruce admits.

“When I arrived, I felt we had to do something a bit different,” said the Hull chief, who will be without Seyi Olofinjana (hamstring) tonight.

“The team did fantastically well last season considering they scored 47 goals. They deserve credit for that.

“But if we wanted to do anything this time, I felt changes were needed and hopefully they will continue to pay off.

“Having players like (Sone) Aluko helps a lot. He brings so much to the team, as do all the lads to be fair. We have some good players and they have started well.

“There are encouraging signs but we all have to remember it is only a start.”

Last six games: Leeds United WLWWDL, Hull City WLDLWW.

Last time: Leeds United 4 Hull City 1; August 16, 2011; Championship.

Referee: R East (Wiltshire).