STEVE Bruce has promised that his Hull City side will travel to Crystal Palace tonight unwilling to target anything less than victory over their Championship promotion rivals.
Fourth plays host to second in a mouth-watering clash at Selhurst Park this evening as the Tigers bid to tighten their grip on an automatic promotion place.
Only a win would guarantee City remain second, but the size of the task facing Bruce's men will be huge.
Not since losing to Watford on the opening day of the season have Palace lost at home in the Championship and a fourth straight win at Selhurst Park will move them up to within a point of City tonight.
But Bruce is unfazed by the challenge and insists his in-form Tigers will arrive in the capital with eyes only on a victory of their own.
"I think supporters know me by now, I've not changed for anyone this season," said Bruce, buoyed by City's 5-2 win over Birmingham.
"No doubt about it, we'll be going down there to take them on and looking to win the game. Why should we change?
"It's not in our interests to change the way we go about it or try to hold on for a point.
"We know they've been a very strong side at home this season but that won't change how we go about it. We'll go there and have a go."
A full programme of Championship fixtures promises another big night in the promotion race and City will be aiming to hold on to second spot after they reclaimed it in style at the weekend.
The significance of the game is not lost on Bruce and he said: "There's still a long way to go but we all know it could be a big game for us.
"If we can go down there and beat them then we're looking at a lead of seven points with 10 games to go.
"I'm not saying that's enough but if we were to win five of our last 10 games, they'd probably have to win eight to stand a chance.
"That's a great opportunity for us but I'm sure they'll be targeting a win as well to get within a point of us. It's one of those games that could be very big for the winner."
City's preparations for tonight's game were exemplary as they ransacked Birmingham on Saturday to record a fourth win in five games and, in the process, banished memories of a 4-1 loss at Bolton seven days earlier.
Bruce has already turned his attentions to another challenge and wants to ensure City remain in the top two when the international break arrives after facing Nottingham Forest in 11 days.
"Everyone is buzzing after a win like that but there's also an understanding there's still a quarter of the season still to play.
"They've given themselves a wonderful chance of doing something special together this season, but that was just the start of a big fortnight. We set the challenge of being in the top two by the time the international break comes around and that's still our aim."
