Hull City boss Steve Bruce admitted his side fell far short of his expectations last night when they got dumped out of the Europa League tournament by Belgian side K.S.C. Lokeren.
Bruce’s side were handed the opportunity to compete in the Europa League tournament last season when they reached the FA Cup final – which they lost to Arsenal at Wembley, in May.
With their qualification via the FA Cup, the Tigers had a shot of achieving in Europe this season – something they have never done – but their lack of experience playing in such tournaments was apparent and their European dream was shattered by the Belgians, 2-2 on aggregate, and owing to away goals.
Following the match – which Hull actually won 2-1 – the coach admitted his side just had not managed to get to grips with this new style of competition that was very different to that of the domestic runs they were accustomed to.
He told the club’s official website: “To go out in the way we did, on away goals, is the worst way.
“But that is this competition and what playing in Europe is like and we have now experienced what it’s like. It’s a totally different ball-game and we didn’t get to grips with it.
“We won the match but it wasn’t enough. We wanted to be in the group stages and to have a couple of big European nights here.
“It’s a shame because it would’ve been a great adventure for everybody concerned.”
Bruce was also brutally honest about the fact a handful of his players (he chose not to name names) did not play up the the standard he expected of them: “Four or five didn’t get to the level I expect and that is disappointing for sure.”