Hull City: Steve Bruce angered by 'pathetic' display in Leeds loss

Image source, Rex Features

Image caption, Steve Bruce led Hull City to promotion to the Premier League in his first season in charge in 2012-13

Hull City manager Steve Bruce described his side's first-half performance at Leeds as "pathetic" as they slipped to their third defeat in eight days.

The 2-1 loss at Elland Road followed a 4-1 League Cup defeat at Manchester City and a 2-0 reverse to Championship promotion rivals Derby County.

"That first 45 minutes was as bad as I've seen from us since I came here," said Bruce.

"You can't turn out on a blustery day and do the basics as badly as we did."

Goals from Chris Wood and Tom Adeyemi were enough for Leeds to claim all three points despite Ahmed Elmohamady's headed reply.

City boasted an 11-game unbeaten league run and unblemished home record until they were defeated by Derby.

"I don't give a monkey's what names are on the shirts, but the next time we play I will have a team that shows the right attitude," Bruce added.

"In the second half we were excellent, but in the first we were pathetic and got what we deserved.

"If we are going to challenge [for promotion] we have to make sure we do better than that."