Bruce three games from assessing start

Such are the travails being endured by Posh, in fact, that a trip to a Hull City side boasting a 100 per cent winning record at home this term is one of the last things they either want or need.

But that is what is on the menu today for the Championship’s bottom club, who have unsurprisingly been priced as rank outsiders for their second trip to the KC Stadium in 2012.

One man, however, who won’t be dismissing Peterborough’s chances is Tigers chief Steve Bruce, who knows just what sort of character will be occupying the away dugout this afternoon.

“I have known Darren Ferguson a long, long time,” said Bruce of his one-time Manchester United team-mate and son of the manager who he worked so closely with to bring success to Old Trafford when captain.

“Peterborough have had a disappointing start, everyone can see that. But knowing Darren like I do, he will be all right and be ready to turn things round.

“He is a tough character and I am sure he won’t be allowing anyone at Peterborough to feel sorry for themselves.

“Obviously, his dad is one of the greatest managers football has seen. And it is never easy following in the footsteps of someone like that.

“But Darren is his own man and handles himself really well. He’s also had some success as a manager.”

As wary as Bruce will be of a team who if they lose today will match the eight-game losing run suffered by Posh in 2006-07, the City chief also has plenty to be pleased about in terms of his own team.

Victories over leaders Brighton, Bolton and Millwall on home soil mean Hull go into today’s game full of confidence.

The Tigers may have lost 3-1 to Leicester City last Sunday but Bruce is adamant his players are still in buoyant mood.

“We have to be happy with the start we have had,” said the City manager, who this week escaped further punishment after being sent to the stands at Leicester by referee Eddie Ilderton.

“We were disappointed with what happened at Leicester but sometimes you just don’t reach those same levels in football.

“But we won’t let it affect us. We have played well at home lately and we have two games in quick succession to bounce back from the Leicester defeat.”

Today’s visit of Peterborough is followed by a home game against Blackpool on Tuesday before the Tigers head to Sheffield Wednesday for an eagerly-anticipated derby. Former Sunderland boss Bruce added: “We set ourselves certain targets at certain points of the season and when the international break comes round (after the trip to Hillsborough), we will be 10 games into the season.

“That can be a time to assess where you are at.

“But with three games in a week before then, all we are focusing on is Peterborough and getting three points.”