Final whistle

Steve Bruce does not expect any favours from his old club Manchester United in Hull’s fight for survival.
The Yorkshire side need to beat United at the KC Stadium tomorrow to have any chance of staying in the Premier League.
And even though Louis van Gaal’s side have already clinched a top-four place to return them to the money-spinning world of the Champions League, Bruce is not banking on them easing off.

United won at relegation-threatened Hull in a similar scenario on the final day in 2009, and the Tigers survived.Former Old Trafford skipper Bruce is sure Van Gaal’s players will be motivated to win even if he names a less than full-strength side.
“It doesn’t matter who plays [for the visitors],” said Bruce. “They are Manchester United. If you are representing Manchester United at any level, you are a good player.”
Bruce claims Hull must take control of their own destiny by winning the game, rather than rely on a helping hand from others. “We are up against one of the top teams,” he said. “But we are at home and we all know the importance of it. “We can’t spend time worrying about the opposition, because we have shown we are capable against the best teams [Hull have beaten Liverpool and lost narrowly to champions Chelsea at the KC].

“We’ve got to believe that we can go and get a result against Manchester United. That’s all we can do.”

Similar situation
Hull City were in the same situation six years ago, and back then their battle involved Newcastle once again. This time, however, Newcastle go into their game on Sunday with the upper hand, with Bruce’s side below them in the table.
If Newcastle United stay in the topflight, it will almost certainly be down to the failings of others. So devoid of confidence are the players that it’s hard to see them beating anyone at the moment, even a West Ham team who have been treading water since Christmas and have nothing much to play for.

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce, his own future in doubt, will have no sympathy for a club that once sacked him after half a season. That may well leave Newcastle praying that Manchester United do not have the deck chairs out at Hull, where the home team have to win or be relegated.
But you must fear for Newcastle. With their huge, passionate support and tradition, they should be a major Premier League club, but they need to start acting and playing like one. The players have been a disgrace during their current run of 10 games without a win. Where is their professional pride, guts and character? They have about as much backbone as a tub of ice cream. The fans rightly point the finger at the club’s silent owner Mike Ashley, whose arrogance in refusing to engage with the supporters is staggering.