ROBBIE Brady says Hull City have provided their Premier League rivals with an early statement that this season will not end with relegation back to the Championship.
Brady was City's hero at the weekend as his cool first-half penalty secured a 1-0 victory over Norwich at a jubilant KC Stadium.
Not even the regrettable dismissal of striker Yannick Sagbo could deny Steve Bruce's men three precious points and a result that provided a heartening shot in the arm.
City now face the distraction of travelling to Leyton Orient in the second round of the Capital One Cup tonight, but Brady believes they can head to Manchester City this weekend with a sense of belonging.
"We had a great season last year and now this win over Norwich is a statement that this is where we belong," said Brady, who could be one of several players rested at Brisbane Road this evening.
"It shows people that we can compete and succeed at this level. We have good players and I think we're more than capable of playing at this level.
"Hopefully, we can keep showing this and get some good results along the way."
Eight months after leaving Manchester United behind in a £2m move to the KC Stadium, Brady is seeing his big step vindicated with a bright introduction to the Premier League.
A top-flight debut at Chelsea saw him recover from an uncertain start to emerge with credit, before he became City's first goalscorer in the top flight since Mark Cullen in May 2010 when stroking home a decisive penalty against the Canaries.
These are the opportunities Brady has longed for after six years at Old Trafford saw him limited to just one substitute appearance in the League Cup last September.
"It's a big step leaving United. It's a massive club and I didn't know anything else but them. But it was the right decision in the end," said Brady.
"I left United on good terms. The six years I was there really helped me as a footballer.
"I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for United and Sir Alex Ferguson. I really enjoyed my time there. This is a new chapter and I'm really happy.
"I left on good terms, with Sir Alex's blessing. He's an inspiration, the best manager ever and I really enjoyed my time working under him.
"But it was time to move on and things are going well for me now.
"I've got myself into the Ireland squad and we have two qualifiers coming up next week (against Sweden on September 6 and Austria on September 10) so hopefully I'll get a run out in both of them."
Brady's impending international commitments will ensure he is one of the players to make way for fresh blood this evening and the most notable inclusion could be former Manchester United team-mate Cameron Stewart.
The out-of-favour winger has recovered from a knee injury and is in line to feature at Brisbane Road alongside the likes of Liam Rosenior, Paul McShane, Joe Dudgeon and Matty Fryatt.
• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
