sport

BRUCE EXPECTS TOUGH TEST

Bruce - faces in-form Hull.

Steve Bruce admitted his Wigan side face a different kind of challenge against Hull as they go in search of their first Barclays Premier League points of the season.

The Latics have suffered defeats to Chelsea at the JJB Stadium last weekend and away at West Ham on the opening day of the season in their first two games.

Hull though have taken four points from their first two games in the top flight and Bruce revealed that facing a promoted team at the beginning of the season - and one on such a high - will be a difficult proposition.

"It is a hard time to go and play them now but we have to be ready for it. There is an excitement which spills over to everywhere and that will obviously be difficult to play against," Bruce said.

"They drew at Blackburn last week and had 6,000 supporters with them who kicked every ball, the chairman and the directors who were doing the same, while of course the players were doing their bit.

"I think it would surprise me if a team that came up and didn't have a go - I witnessed it myself with Birmingham - because you are bouncing and so are the supporters.

"You saw the same excitement at Stoke last weekend with their first home game in the Premier League against Villa and they were jumping off rafters and I'm sure Wigan was the same four years ago.

"It is especially the case when you haven't been there at all, or you haven't for years and years, like Hull and Stoke."

Bruce continued: "We need a result but anyone who has watched the two games will know that - apart from the first 15 minutes against West Ham - we have played very well.

"I can't ask any more of the players against Chelsea or their response against West Ham and I think we just need to now keep the standard good and keep playing well.

"The spirit has not dropped at all and I wouldn't expect it to at this early stage but you can't argue the fact that Hull will be difficult.

"They will be up for it and rightly so - they have waited a long time to be in the Premier League and it will be packed to the rafters and we have to be ready for the occasion and the atmosphere.

"But we have proven that we can go and handle those sorts of situations so I am looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can get a result."

Bruce expects goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to be fit for the trip to the KC Stadium after he suffered a slight back spasm during the warm-up against Chelsea, which forced him to miss the game.

The Latics boss has doubts though over midfielders Paul Scharner and Jason Koumas who are both nursing ankle injuries with Michael Brown and Kevin Kilbane standing by.

Bruce also admitted he has a stronger squad than last season at his disposal after chairman Dave Whelan put the pressure on him by expressing his desire for a top-half finish.

"If you look at the bench last week and the one at West Ham undoubtedly it is a stronger squad than last season," Bruce explained.

"It is difficult for people like Kevin Kilbane and Michael Brown who have been fantastic for me all last year when I came here but are not getting games at the moment.

"I've had to make a call and that is the difficult part of management because we you need a big squad. That's the way the Premier League is because after Monday that's it. You have to go to battle with what you've got for four months.

"There's a good spirit of course but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a few disappointed and rightly so. If they are happy sitting on the bench next to me then there is something wrong with them.

"So you want them to come and knock on the door, to be angry and show that they are desperate to get back in the side. Certainly Kilbane and Brown are two that absolutely fit into that mould."

Bruce refused to comment on speculation which linked Wigan with a move for Middlesbrough striker Mido and does not expect much activity before the window closes.

He added: "You never know [what might happen] - you can never say never - but I expect things to be quiet."