Hull Reaction: Bruce frustrated by missed chances

Last updated : 23 March 2009 By Paul Farrington
Here is the reaction of those involved.

Steve Bruce

You can see that it means something to the players to be seventh, they've definitely got a buzz about them.

We had a tough start to the year but we brought in the likes of (Ben) Watson, (Charles) N'Zogbia and (Hugo) Rodallega who are all going to need a bit of time but they're doing well, and with Ben getting his second goal for the club that can only be a positive thing for him. He's starting to look a snip at £1.5 million!

The whole team have stuck at it, not just today, but for the best part of the last twelve months. They've got the bit between their teeth so fair play to them.

To be in this position with eight games left is terrific and it's my job to make sure we stay focused now. We've got five of the bottom teams to play in that time as well, they will be tough but if we can get the results there it's possible for us to go for a European spot.

I thought the first-half was pretty much one-way traffic to say the least. We had 'umpteen chances that we didn't take, and in the Premier League you don't often get that many opportunities.

But we stuck at it and got our reward because I feel the better team won. I thought Hugo was terrific today and I've been keeping him up my sleeve because he's not quite been ready yet. But together with Mido the two of them did great, he needs a goal but that will come I'm sure.

I'm delighted with what we've done since January, it was hard losing the players we did but the signs are good for the future. The young players are improving and players like Mido are getting better each week so we're up and running.


Ben Watson

We had so many chances in the first half but we dug in and kept going and we got our reward. I should have got one in the first minute I think but it went straight through my legs, and then there was another one in the second half.

But I think we dominated from the first whistle to the last whistle and we carried on, kept going and got our reward.

Phil Brown

The first half I don't think we played particularly well. Second half we came out of the traps a little bit better, and caused one or two problems but consequently they have got a winning goal.

For me the difference between the two teams is the experience for Wigan at this level and we've got to learn from that.

The Table

Latest match Sunday,
22nd March 2009
PldHomeAwayOverallPtsGD
WDLFAWDLFAWDLFA
1Manchester United 2912113198431892054491865+31
2Liverpool 30960278942271318102542164+33
3Chelsea 3085224810232591875491761+32
4Arsenal 308522211753261615105482755+21
5Aston Villa 305732117100522191578433652+7
6Everton 30654231774417141398403148+9
7Wigan Athletic 307441412447161611811302841+2
8West Ham United 3072619174651618118113535410
9Fulham 309332412177614101010302640+4
10Manchester City 3010053112159152511514463738+9
11Tottenham Hotspur 30654169438202510812363438+2
12Bolton Wanderers 306271518429172610416324434-12
13Hull City 30348163055519228913355233-17
14Sunderland 30537171835712218814293932-10
15Portsmouth 29627202326612238813324632-14
16Stoke City 308431813041111348814294732-18
17Blackburn Rovers 303661622447172771013334931-16
18Newcastle United 304652125258152461113364929-13
19Middlesbrough 30474131622118266915214227-21
20West Bromwich Albion 30537202813116276618265524-29

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