STEVE Bruce has warned his Hull City troops that a return to winning ways will "count for nothing" unless they can follow it up with another victory at home to Leicester City today (Sunday).
The Tigers gave their supporters the perfect Christmas gift on Boxing Day when ending a run of 10 games without a win with a 3-1 success at Sunderland.
Goals from Gaston Ramirez, James Chester and Nikica Jelavic overturned Adam Johnson's first-minute opener to deliver a morale-boosting victory at the Stadium of Light and lift City out of the bottom three.
Now comes the opportunity to put daylight between themselves and danger. Leicester, winless since September and rock bottom of the Premier League, visit the KC Stadium and Bruce is calling on his side to capitalise.
"It's a huge game," said Bruce, who will miss the suspended James Chester but should be able to recall both Andy Robertson (hamstring) and Jake Livermore (banned).
"We've somehow got to take our away form, which has been decent, back home.
"That was our biggest strength last season at home. Seven wins there made sure we stayed up.
"I'm still convinced from what I've seen that if we turn our home form around we'll still be better off than last season.
"This is our second year in, we've been in it for 18 months. You can go on a run. The bottom seven or eight are separated by a handful of points so we're not alone.
"But we needed that victory and it gives us some confidence at the right time.
"It means nothing if we don't turn over Leicester. That's a huge game. If we can turn over them it's a big ask for them to catch us. That's what we've got to do."
