HDM Sport on Facebook AFTER seeing Neil Warnock become the Premier League's first managerial casualty of the season, it has not taken long for Steve Bruce to be linked with a move to Crystal Palace. With the Eagles looking set to send the top-flight managerial merry-go-round into full swing again, Bruce has today been heavily linked with a move away from the Tigers. Bruce has already held the hot seat at Selhurst Park, taking up the role for three months in 2001, and the Daily Mail has reported that Bruce is on the list to replace Warnock, as Palace, like City, look to battle their way out of the relegation dog fight. However, the paper also reports that Bruce may not be the most popular of appointments after his controversial defection to Birmingham in 2001 which the London club attempted to block. While Bruce is certainly a name in contention, he is far from the favourite to take the job. That honour belongs to Alan Pardew, who has moved to odds-on favourite with bookies to take up the role, after he failed to show for media duties after Newcastle's 3-2 win over Everton yesterday. His decision to send assistant John Carver to the post-match press conference only served to fuel speculation of a return to Selhurst Park and some bookmakers have now suspended betting on the Newcastle boss taking up the vacant position at Palace.City to appeal Quinn red card STEVE Bruce has revealed he hopes to appeal Stephen Quinn's red card which he picked up in the dying minutes of City's 1-0 defeat to Leicester City. Quinn appeared to stop the ball with his handin order to prevent David Nugent with the chance to wrap the game up for Nigel Pearson's side and was given his marching orders, evening the sides up at 10 players each following Paul Konchesky's dismissal. But speaking to Sky Sports News, Bruce said he was hoping to have the decision overturned. "Quinn's red card didn't make any difference to the game but it looked too soft for me there's no way that is deliberate handball and preventing a goal-scoring opportunity," said the City boss. "We'll have a look at it and Phil (Dowd) may have a look at it and see if there are grounds for appeal because I don't think it was intentional."Gray believes Everton are vulnerable HEADING into December, Hull City's home clash with Everton looked to be one of the more tricky fixtures over the festive period. However, a woeful run of results has seen Roberto Martinez and his side come under increasing pressure and a result for Bruce and his men looks all the more plausible, and important, following the disastrous loss to Leicester City. Former Everton striker and TV pundit Andy Gray believes that the Toffees are currently 'too soft' under their Spanish boss, and suggests that things need to change for the Merseyside outfit following five defeats in their last seven outings. Speaking to talkSPORT this morning, Gray said: "I'm a little concerned, if I'm honest. "Roberto is maybe trying to soften Everton a little too much. The stats don't lie, and Everton's defending is nowhere near as good as it used to be. "The one thing I remember under David Moyes was Everton were one of the toughest teams to play against in the Premier League. They were extremely tough to break down, they were extremely well organised, and they just seem less so to me now. "A little bit too much football for me, a little bit too soft for me, and I think that has been reflected in results. "I am concerned. Roberto needs to rethink his strategy because without a doubt there are problems." The current plight of both clubs is bound to ensure a few fireworks in their New Year's Day clash.Tigers' half-term report makes for uneasy reading IT'S half-term in the Premier League as clubs gauge where they are at having set themselves lofty targets at the beginning of the season, but unfortunately for Hull City, the report card makes for pretty disappointing reading. The BBC has compiled their review for each top-flight side at the halfway stage and the first word – struggle– seems to sum it all up quite neatly. Taking the recent, and much needed victory over Sunderland into account, the report suggests: "The light provided by the win at Sunderland was replaced by the darkness of a home defeat by fellow strugglers Leicester City. "Results this year have been poor but a busy summer in the transfer market, including the £10m club record signing Abel Hernandez, after reaching the FA Cup final, pitched expectations higher than what has been delivered." The report also points for a need for Hernandez and strike partner Nikica Jelavic to start firing– while also pointing out the Tigers have won just six points at the KC Stadium all season– fewer than other Premier League side on home soil.
