Hull V Southampton - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Bruce sets sights on Saints revengeDefender Alex Bruce is desperate for Hull to get their own back on "bogey team" Southampton.The Saints did the double over Bruce and company last season, easing to a 4-1 victory on home turf having already claimed a 1-0 win at the KC Stadium.They return to East Yorkshire on Saturday on the crest of a wave, lying second in the Barclays Premier League and having won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.But Bruce believes the Tigers have all the motivation they need to end that streak."They were a bit of a bogey team for us last year," said Bruce."They played very well here and at St Mary'sHopefully we can put that right with a win."We have to approach it in the right way because we owe them one as it stands."They've hit the ground running this season but hopefully we can stop them in their tracks."Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has won praise for his acumen in the transfer market since replacing Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, with the likes of Graziano Pelle, Dusan Tadic and Toby Alderweireld impressing on their first season in England.But one of his most expensive signings came from Hull - with Koeman shelling out B#12million on Republic of Ireland striker Shane Long.It has been a slow start for him so far, with his first goal coming in the Capital One Cup win over Stoke in midweek, his 12th appearance.But although he had only been with Hull six months before moving on, Bruce has seen enough of his former team-mate to know he could pose problems at his old stomping ground."Longy came here and did well for us but Southampton head-hunted him and there was a large price tag put on him," said Bruce."He's joined a very good team, he offers a huge threat with his pace
I think he plays wide for them but we'll have to keep on top of him because he is a good player."Hull boss Steve Bruce could go with the same XI that started last week's draw with Liverpool
Goalkeepers Allan McGregor (shoulder) and Steve Harper (bicep) are still out, meaning third-choice Eldin Jakupovic continues in goal
Gaston Ramirez is ineligible to face his parent club.Koeman believes the summer of change at Southampton helped rather than hindered him as an incoming manager.Saints have been the surprise package of the Premier League season so far, after a player exodus that many thought would harm the club's chance of making progress actually providing the perfect platform for an early charge out of the blocks.Southampton head to Hull on Saturday with 19 points from their opening nine Premier League fixtures - a points haul bettered only by leaders Chelsea.When the likes of Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers all left during the summer, the doom-mongers gathered to predict tough times ahead for Koeman.However, the Dutchman thinks being able to stamp his mark on the team from the off has contributed to Saints' flying start to the campaign."It helped, although (Dusan) Tadic was already on the scouting list at Southampton," said Koeman."It also came down to positions
Lallana left, so we have to bring in a similar player to Lallana
Lambert goes, so we have to bring in another striker
Spending the money in the positions that we needed was the most important thing."But what happened is not normal
Normally you would have to change one or two new players, instead of six or seven players
But this way it is more my team as I have my own players rather than what was left by the other manager."Good players, good quality players, can adapt, although it usually takes some time
This team looks like it has already been together for two seasons
But that is down to the players because they are good players."Asked if he thought Southampton could maintain their momentum and realistically challenge for a top-four place this season, Koeman replied: "We can keep this, I'm not afraid about the situation."If I look at the rest of the teams, I don't think a lot of them are better than Southampton."I think we have gone under the radar
Maybe some people are very surprised but from the start of the season I saw what I had and I had belief, belief in the players and their spirit."Okay, maybe not to be second in the league at this moment, but we have good players and we play good football and everybody enjoys how we play
This is very important."Sadio Mane could return to the Southampton squad.Mane was rested as a precaution against Stoke on Wednesday night
The midfielder was expected to train on Friday in the hope that he will be included in the squad that travels to East Yorkshire.Koeman, whose team have won six of their last seven Premier League matches, otherwise has a full squad to select from
Source : PA
Source: PA