Boss felt Rovers caused Latics too many problems after 3-1 defeat at Ewood Park.

Blackburn took the lead through Roque Santa Cruz before Marlon King levelled from the spot early in the first half but a Jason Roberts goal on the stroke of half time was followed by another Santa Cruz goal and in the end Latics were unable to break down a tough Rovers team in the second half.

The first few minutes saw Chris Kirkland hurt his back after landing on it as he grabbed a high ball and manager Steve Bruce admitted that he felt that early incident seemed to affect the performance.

He said, "Individually and collectively we never really got started and I think it was summed up when in the first three minutes Kirkland has got injured. I think all through the game that everyone could see that he was not 100%.

"Everything just seemed to go against us, although we got a lifeline in the form of a penalty and we stuck that away and I would have expected us to kick on but we had all sorts of problems with their midfield players.

"Our strength in the last few weeks has been in defence but unfortunately it has not been good enough today. I could not pick an individual who has lived up to the performance that they have produced of late."

Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios received two yellow cards and was subsequently sent off but the Latics boss did not think it was deserved. He said "I think he was kicked more times than anyone else on the pitch, and I also thought the first yellow card was harsh."

But Bruce also admitted he had a gripe against the international fixture list as most of the squad prepare to jet off to represent their country in mid-week.

The gaffer continued, "But now most of the squad will go away on international duty so I won't see most of the squad until Friday. It baffles me that there has been friendlies arranged at this stage of the season."

Despite Kirkland's discomfort in his back, Bruce confirmed that he will still join up with the England squad ahead of the friendly with France next Wednesday.

Wigan World subscribers can watch to the whole of the post match interview with Steve Bruce on Wigan World.