Is Steve Bruce about to prove a point with Hull City?

Steve Bruce has a long record in management, now spanning seven clubs, and dating back to 1998 with Sheffield United. 

He has been a controversial figure, because he has often chosen to leave clubs on his own terms, while the going was good, which in turn only saw his stock rise, but drew accusations of a lack of loyalty (in football? Shock).

So it was no doubt a shock to his system when he was sacked by Sunderland last Autumn, but it was inevitable. He had spent a lot of money, and the results were not good. Not only that but the fans had turned on him, and when that happens, there is often no comeback.

His poor start was only highlighted by Martin O'Neill's excellent run as Sunderland manager, even if it was with the squad Bruce put together, it served to ask questions on why he could not get them performing.

So his reputation had taken a real battering last season, so much so that there was outcry among Wolves fans when he was linked with the vacant management job in February. Wolves were relegated, so their loss perhaps.

Either way, Bruce took stock, and took his time, before waiting for a new club. Like Sam Allardyce with West Ham, he took no shame in dropping down to the Championship to try to take on a new challenge.

He signed on as manager of Hull City in June on a three-year-deal, and so far it has been going well, a quick glance at the Championship table tells you that. Hull finished in eighth last year, two places short of the play-offs, so the manager clearly had a good squad to work with.

His trump card so far this season has been Ahmed ElMohamady, the Egyptian signed on loan from Sunderland who put in a man-of-the-match display to inspire a 3-2 win away to Leeds.

It is early days, with just six games played of course, but Hull currently sit in fourth place, one point off top club Blackburn, and will look to maintain their form through to the New Year, when the table will begin to take shape.

Can Hull become automatic promotion contenders? Right now it is too early to rule them out, it is a competitive division, and Blackburn and Wolves have shown already they will be strong.

But Steve Bruce is an experienced manager, and has several talented player to call upon. Hull will remain in the mix for promotion come next May, even if it is through the play-off 'lottery', and the Premier League's forgotten man could be be making a return sooner than most expect.

Can Bruce get Hull promoted? Where does he need to strengthen the squad?

image: © nicksarebi

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.