The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Steve Bruce

  • Bruce backing Hull to stay out of trouble

    Bruce backing Hull to stay out of trouble

    Steve Bruce is confident Hull City have the quality to start climbing the Premier League table despite a run of three consecutive defeats.

    Hull dropped down to 16th as a result of a dramatic 2-1 defeat against Tottenham at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

    Jake Livermore had put the home side in front with a fine finish against his former club after only eight minutes and Bruce’s side deserved to be further ahead at half-time.

    The key moment in the game came five minutes after the break, when full debutant Gaston Ramirez was shown a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident with Jan Vertonghen.

    Bruce was far from impressed with the decision to give the on-loan winger his marching orders and was left to reflect on another defeat after Harry Kane equalised and Christian Eriksen won it right at the death.

    Hull willl drop another place to 17th if Aston Villa pick up at least a point at Southampton on Monday, but Bruce is expecting his side to turn around their poor form.

    “I think I have a better squad than I did last year so I am convinced we will be okay,” he said.

    “I think that is five times we have conceded in the last minute. That is cruel.

    “We were far, far better than at Burnley [when Hull were beaten 1-0 before the international break]. If we play like we did in the first half, things will change for us. We were excellent in the first half.

    “It helps when you have players back from injury such as Nikica Jelavic, Allan McGregor and Michael Dawson – experienced Premier League players – down the spine of your team.”

  • FA Cup: Can Arsenal end nine-year trophy drought?

    FA Cup: Can Arsenal end nine-year trophy drought?

    Can Arsenal end a nine-year trophy drought in Saturday’s English FA Cup final against Hull City?

    The match starts at 5pm Nigerian time in Wembley.

    The pressure is on Arsenal ahead of the game because of its clear favourites tag and the quality of players expected to be on duty for the Arsene Wenger side on Saturday evening.

    Interestingly, it was in this tournament back in 2005 that the north London club secured their last piece of silverware, when they beat Manchester United on penalties.

    The win against the Tigers today could bring back Arsenal’s lost glory.

    The “Gunners” have since lost two League Cup finals (in 2007 and 2011) and were beaten by Barcelona in the 2006 Champions League final.

    Probably, the most painful defeat was in the 2007 Carling Cup final when Wenger‘s men surprisingly lost to Birmingham City. Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and centre-half Laurent Koscielny howler gave Alex McLeish’s side their first piece of silverware since 1963. Substitute Obafemi Martins’ 89th minute strike separated the two sides.

    Arsenal started the season on a bright note, raising hope of the club’s supporters that they could challenge for the English Premier League title, but floundered as the season entered home stretch. But as usual, the club secured Champions League football for a 17th consecutive season.

    Wenger is quite aware of the fans’ expectation on Saturday and has expressed confidence that the pressure of the club’s nine-year trophy drought will not derail his side against Hull City.

    “No matter what the result is, this club — and this is always most important — can deal with the consequences of any game,” Wenger said.

    “What is important is that we come out of the game and have the feeling that we gave absolutely our best, our total energy to play at our best, and then you always accept the consequences.

    “No matter how much we talk about it, you can win and lose, but you want to come out of the game feeling you have done the maximum to win and that is what we want to achieve.”
    Should Arsenal leave Wembley without the FA Cup, the questions will rise again about whether he can ever regain the touch of a decade ago, and whether he has lost the ability that came as second nature after he arrived at Highbury in September 1996.

    Wenger has shown every indication of extending his stay as Arsenal manager, dismissing rumoured interest from former club Monaco. But how would such disappointment sit with him and a passionate fan base desperate for trophies rather than the consolation of a top-four place in the Premier League?

    If Arsenal wins, however, Wenger has every right to paint the season as a successful one.

    20 years to the week since lifting the FA Cup as captain of Manchester United, memories of that illustrious day still burns as intensely as ever for Hull’s boss Steve Bruce.

    In an illustrious playing career which also yielded three Premier League titles, European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup honours, Bruce admits his three FA Cup winners’ medals – the latter as a non-playing squad member in 1996 – have an extra-special place.

    During his nine years as a player with Manchester United he prepared for the FA Cup final on no fewer than four occasions in six years. Wins came in 1990 and 1994 before defeat followed in 1995. A year later he failed to make the cut as United beat Liverpool.

    Bruce relishes the role of underdog against ‘mighty Arsenal’ ahead of the encounter and an FA Cup final against Arsenal, the biggest fixture of his managerial career.
    “It’s just dawned on me that we’re here,” said Bruce, surveying the room.

    “I’ve been fortunate enough to win it before but to go as a manager I never thought that would be possible. I’m going to enjoy the occasion and take a deep breath. There can’t be anything better than what we’re about to go through.”

    “It can be over in a blur,” said Bruce, offering early words of advice. “Not many of them are married but I told the players it’s a bit like your wedding day. Before you know it, you’re married and before you know it, the FA Cup final’s gone.

    “That’s what it was like for me. You’ve got to try to grasp the occasion and enjoy it. If you’re not careful, it just goes past you.

    “The memories of the FA Cup are the ones you cherish, when you’ve finished your playing career. The ones you really remember are your FA Cup days and believe me, it’s far better when you’ve won one than when you’ve lost one.

    “I’ve experienced losing but more importantly I’ve experienced winning, so let’s hope it’s our day.”

    Arsenal finished the season fourth on the table while Hull City ended 16th in the Premiership table.

     

  • Sone Aluko – Okocha, Kanu made me shun England for Nigeria

    Sone Aluko – Okocha, Kanu made me shun England for Nigeria

    To be out of action for three months could make life quite difficult for a professional footballer but for Nigerian Hull City attacker, Sone Aluko, it is the right time to dig deeper spiritually and get closer to God.

    The striker was ruled out for at least three months with a torn Achilles tendon early November.

    Aluko, who has declared interest in playing for Nigeria after spells in the England Junior team, went philosophical when sharing his injury moments with Sports & Style.

    Reacting to questions on the social media, the younger brother to Eniola Aluko, who plays for the Chelsea female team and England, said God has kept him focused and positive since he cropped the near-fatal injury in the pre-match warm-up ahead.

    “You know the injury itself is funny. My boss (Steve Bruce) calls it ‘tragically hard luck.’ We were warming up for the match against Sunderland and l just got this tear out of nowhere and doctor just told me l would be out till January.”

    The news, according to the 24 year old who scored a winning screamer in a pulsating 2-3 away match to Newcastle in September, devastated him.

    The winning goal was Aluko first premiership goal and gave Hull City their first away win in the season.

    He added: “I scored a brilliant goal few weeks to that and Bruce told me l was ready to go then that (injury) happened. It is enough to drive you nut but l will not give in to that kind of frustration and l am really coping well.”

    This is not forgetting that Achilles trouble cut short Aluko’s season in January 2012.

    So how is he coping well?

    “I am a believer and if it had not been for the LORD who was on my side it would have been difficult doing this. I have remained positive day after day and so far it has been god recovery wise! I thank God for giving me a clear head and focused mind.”

    Aside from that he said he has indulged himself on the social sites more than before.

    “I watch a lot of TV and been catching up with some of those great movies. I tweet a lot too and speaks with my friends now and then. I’ve been watching our games too and that of my big sister, Eniola”.

    Eniola, who is two years older than Sone has remained close to his only sibling during his time of trouble.

    Sone said she comes visiting when she is not at training or playing for Chelsea. “She has always been there for me. She comes around to see me and we have always been close. She is great and we are good together.”

    Sone and Eniola ranks among the few successful football siblings in England. Both have been playing football at the top level, and scoring goals.

    Sone recalled that same day he scored against Newcastle, her sister also scored for England against Belarus and they called themselves to congratulate each other. “I had a chat with her on the phone later in the night and said ‘well done’ and told her it was a fantastic goal she’d scored. It is a special day for us.”

    Eniola was born in Nigeria, two years before Sone arrived, after their politician father, Daniel Aluko relocated to England.

    They were brought up in Birmingham, kicking a ball around together in the family garden before both were signed as youngsters by Birmingham City. Sone did not make the Blues first team but moved first to Aberdeen and then Rangers before signing for Hull at the start of last season, the final four months of which he missed due to an Achilles injury.

    After nurturing his entire youth career in England through Aberdeen and the England Junior team, to become one of the most talked about youngsters in the Premiership, why did he shun England Three Lions for Super Eagles of Nigeria?

    Aluko answered? “I grew up knowing my sister playing for England and as l progress in my career and knowing how close we are l was tempted to do same. Also knowing that l played for England age-groups against top strikers like Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott, yet won a place up to Under-19 level. It was a very strong age-group. But the first World Cup I remember was 1998, when Nigeria had Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, (Nwankwo) Kanu and a golden generation that naturally my mum and dad supported. At Under-20 I was called up for both countries and I just felt that international-wise you pick the team you feel is closest to your heart. When you pick a club you’re thinking about what’s best for your career, but I just felt more like a Nigerian player and fan. I also watched Okocha and Kanu in the Premiership and they are magical. I am grateful to England for what l have learnt here but my heart is in Nigeria”

    So how has it been playing for Nigeria? He said he was impressed with the Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi, who have him the nod a couple of times to play for Eagles. “The people too are warm and I just love the atmosphere. My game under Coach Stephen Keshi was in June 2012 as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Rwanda in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier but injury has kept me away since then. If things go my way this season I can still break into the team for Brazil definitely. I hope to return soon and if I maintain my form then I will have a good case for selection.” To keep working hard and hope is all I can do, we are fortunate as Nigerians that we are blessed with top players especially in attacking positions so competition is high,” he added.

    Sone is highly optimistic that he would be back soon to full training and full game soon after evaluating his recovery.

    “Few weeks ago l was given the clear to walk again unrestricted. I wore a full sets of trainers and started took a few steps of freedom. For 12 minutes l worked freely on the treadmill and coach was happy. I’ve received the okay to go back to light training and in a few days will raise the tempo. I might be back sooner than expected.”

  • Aluko moves closer to new deal at Hull

    Aluko moves closer to new deal at Hull

    Sone Aluko is reportedly closing in on a new deal with his current employers Hull City.

    The 24-year old midfielder has been impressive for the Tigers opening five Premier League fixtures this season, scoring a superb winner at Newcastle United last Saturday, futaa.com reports.

    The Nigeria international is reportedly eager to sign on for longer spell even though his current contract has another 12 months to run.

    “We have just started talking. The focus is on games and getting fit again. I am sure it will get done.

    “No doubt it will drag on, as negotiations do, but I am relaxed about it. It’s football so nothing would surprise you but I am sure it will get done, “futaa.com quoted Aluko as saying on express.co.uk

    City boss, Steve Bruce, who gave Aluko his debut at Birmingham aged 16, is also eager to tie the Nigerian down to a new deal in a bid to replace the current one which runs out by the end of the current season.