STEVE Bruce slammed Hull City's performance in defeat at Burnley as their worst since promotion to the Premier League.

The Tigers are in their second season since promotion but were beaten 1-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Bruce said: "It was certainly our worst performance in the Premier League.

"I remember a day at Barnsley when we were going for promotion but today was one of those where I couldn’t pick a player. I couldn’t pick one.

"A couple did okay but dear oh dear, it was so far off the performances we saw at Liverpool and at Arsenal.

"There was no expectation in those games. There was an expectation for us to come here and turn them over but unfortunately we’ve not shown enough."

Bruce insisted that Hull's influx of big names such as Abel Hernandez and Tom Huddlestone did not suddenly give them a divine right to win.

"Names on paper when you play like that mean nothing," he said.

"You’ve got to have names that produce a performance and make sure you’re ready for the challenge that Burnley will throw at you. "They’re fighting desperately hard to stay in the division but we should know because we were like them 12 months ago.

"Every point is crucial and every performance is crucial but the sad indictment was that they had a greater desire to win the game.

"We’re Hull City, let’s not forget that. We’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re better than we are. We’ll be at the bottom of the table playing like that.

"It’s a game you’ve got to take it by the scruff of the neck. At least do the basics - show up, have a go, show a bit of character.

"Everyone makes mistakes, I can forgive that, but we were so lacklustre and lifeless it was scary. Make no mistake it won’t happen again."