BRUCE PRAISES LATICS' PERFORMANCE

'We deserved a result tonight' says Gaffer

By Paul Chialton

A proud Steve Bruce explained how disappointed he was for his team following their gallant performance against Man Utd which ended in heartache.

Speaking after the game Bruce commented on the spirit his team showed and how such displays have got them the recognition they deserve:

"I'm hugely disappointed for the players because they deserved something from tonight.

"They've shown everybody what they Premier League is all about, with there honesty and integrity.

"We had large periods of the game where we looked in control but you have to last for the entirety, and in the end Michael Carrick's wonder-goal settled it.

"Changing the mentality has been difficult over the last few weeks, but it was back tonight. It's performances like that that have got us to where we were in the league.

"I've been trying for ten years to get a result against them, and I thought tonight would be the night I got it, but it wasn't to be.

"Overall I couldn't wish for anymore, we did everything we possibly could to get the result.

Bruce also took the opportunity to again praise the effort put in by Latics' goalscorer Hugo Rodallega, who seems to be growing in confidence with every game he plays:

"Hugo has come of age a bit lately. As I've said before I didn't want to throw him in just yet, but I've had no chance.

"He was sitting puzzled when he first came, watching the way we play our game, but he's proving now to be a real asset and was a top player tonight."