Manager Steve Bruce has spoken of his delight at how Hull stepped up a gear in the second half to take victory over Brentford last night.
Audio – Bruce On Brentford Win
Speaking to the Official Site in his post game press conference having seen a two nil victory secured with goals coming from Andrew Robertson and Sam Clucas, a pleased Bruce explained.
‘We were terrific second half. We found it difficult in the first half against a good Brentford team who are up and at you and press you. We knew what to expect and to be fair to Brentford, with the confidence that they had after winning their last four, then we had to stand up to that. They were difficult opponents in the first half, but second half we showed our metal and looked like a really good side. We just passed the ball better and ran forward better – our first pass was the crucial one. We got it into the strikers with a little bit more quality rather than fighting it all the time – that`s what we needed.’
With the three points sending Hull top of the Championship table, Bruce went on to say that he felt it was a fitting reward for our efforts and the way the group have come together since the beginning of the season and dusted off disappointment from last year.
Of course though, nobody can get carried away with so many games left to play this year.
‘We`re all delighted to be there because we`ve had a good start. We needed to because we had a very difficult summer to get everyone back and knuckled down but they`ve shown that bit of resilience, which you need if you`re going to be successful. You keep your powder dry and get on with it. We`re repairing the damage that we all felt last year because at the end of the day we got relegated. It leaves a huge, horrible black mark on your CV and we`ve had to get over that. The way we`re playing and the way we`ve started, we`re going to give ourselves a chance. We`re top of the league and we`re going to be there to be shot at but we have to say nothing and just get on with your job.’
The goal scorers on the evening also came in for praise.
‘They`re both young and hungry but have a bit to learn. They`re a threat because of their energy and they`ve got that youth and a little bit of hunger to do well which you need – I think we have the balance right with a bit of experience. We went away at the weekend and had different scorers and Andy should be in those positions with his legs and the way he runs forward. It`s a great pass from Sam and a super finish – it was a terrific goal where he got his reward. Andy`s still got a lot to learn. It`s only 15 months since he came down from Dundee and before that he played in the Scottish Second Division only two-and-a-half years ago. He`s got a lot of potential and talent – you can see that raw ability that he has – but he has to defend better and improve his heading. However he`s got that hunger that I hope will see him through and if it does then he`s got a really good chance.’
With Alex Bruce going off early on in the first half, Steve gave a quick update on his hamstring problem and he’s likely out this weekend now and the gaffer did concede it probably wasn’t the best of decisions to have played him.
‘He`s got a hamstring problem. He had a bit of it on Saturday and in hindsight we shouldn`t have played him against Brentford. But he wanted to play and felt okay, but unfortunately he felt it again after ten or 15 minutes.’
With Robertson’s strike on the day being his first goal for the club following his summer arrival, he was interviewed and briefly said of the goal and the game.
‘I`ve scored a couple in friendly matches, but this one was much more important. I saw the ball coming and then saw the keeper move, so I thought I`d try and put it in at the front post. I think if it hadn`t gone in I would have had a right mouthful from Chuba Akpom because he was in a good position, but luckily it went in and we could celebrate.’
With Bruce referencing his growing understanding with fellow goal scorer Clucas, he went on to add.
‘I enjoy playing with Sam. He`s comfortable at left back as well, so when I go forward I know we can interact. We`re starting to link-up well and to get an understanding with each other. It`s sometimes hard when a new player comes in and you have to work at it, but I think we`re getting the combination now and long may that continue.’
As for the game overall, he ended by saying.
‘I didn`t think we played well in the first half and Brentford probably gave the best they could. We went in at half time at 0-0 knowing that we were still right in it. We came out in the second half and dominated it from start to finish. We got the goals at crucial times. We were more composed on the ball in the second half. The first pass was much better and we were getting the ball up to the strikers much quicker before joining them in support. It was a good win for us.’
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