Bruce feels mugged

Wigan boss frustrated at loss

Last updated: 4th October 2008

Bruce feels mugged

Burce: In shock

We needed a goal didn't get it and we have been mugged really.

Steve Bruce
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Wigan manager Steve Bruce admitted he felt like he had been 'mugged' after seeing Middlesbrough snatch a 1-0 win at The JJB Stadium.

Coming off the back of their 2-1 win over Manchester City, confidence was high for a repeat performance and they began well.

But Boro held firm and despite Wigan's pressure the away side snatched the win thanks to Jeremie Aliadiere's last-minute strike.

"I haven't gone back to back [wins] since I have been here - that is the disappointing thing, and this was the perfect opportunity but my record against Middlesbrough is awful. It is disappointing, we needed a goal, didn't get it and we have been mugged really," he told Sky Sports.

"We have all been here in football where you don't get what you deserve, I thought going into the last 15 to 20 minutes it had 0-0 written all over it, neither goalkeeper - although I thought their keeper was the more busy - has had a shot to save really and we certainly didn't deserve that.

"But a little bit of quality finishing from Aliadiere and sloppy defending from us in the last minute has cost us the game - which we didn't deserve.

"They had to change their shape as we continued from where we left off from last week which was good to see but we needed to score, we didn't. We had one or two, three or four opportunities which didn't fall for us. It wasn't our day, simple as that.

"I thought his (Gareth Southgate's) centre-backs were excellent. Riggott and Wheater particularly good but they had to be, as Heskey and Zaki were a handful all day. It wasn't our day!

"It always feels like a kick in the teeth when you lose in the last minute."

International annoyance

Bruce bemoaned the fact that most of his squad are now heading off on international duty as the Premier League takes a break next weekend.

"The frustrating thing is that they are all away, 14 or 15 away and for two weeks we have to sit - not the ideal situation but there you have it," he continued.

England coach Fabio Capello was watching on from the stands and Bruce is confident Heskey is a certain starter for the next match against Kazakhstan, although he does not know whether goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will feature.

"After his [Heskey] performances you would think he is a certainty," said Bruce.

"I would have thought he is pencilled in to start - with Chris it will be interesting to see if he is in the squad.

"I think we have been treating him with cotton wool so it will be interesting to see, but I doubt it, as we have this agreement where unless we feel that he is 100 per cent he will probably be left at home."