BOSS DEFIANT AFTER CHELSEA DEFEAT

Steve Bruce admitted his team worked hard and deserved to get  something out of the game against Chelsea.

Despite being on the end of a 1-0 defeat Bruce praised the performance of his players against a Chelsea side he thought were lucky to get away from the JJB with the points.
"We played really well against them," said Bruce. 
"And when you analyse it our 'keeper hasn't had to make a save, which is probably unheard of against Chelsea.
"They'll probably go away thinking 'we've nicked that one'."
"I couldn't of wished for anything better really, we had an outstanding chance to beat them and it didn't at one stage ever look as though they were going to rip us apart like they did with Portsmouth last week.
"When you consider half our team were half way round the world and the injuries we've had, it was difficult for us. But all credit to them. They've given everything they could have."
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Bruce paid tribute to his midfield who did superbly well against a Chelsea midfield that contained the likes of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Deco.
"My midfield four ran themselves into an absolute standstill, in particular Cattermole, Palacios and Valencia, they've run a million miles out there.
"You have to do that against these teams, you have to work physically harder than they do, stick to the game plan and concentrate. We did all that today and we just needed that bit of quality which was missing.
Such a performance will reassure Bruce and the fans that the team are well capable of getting results this season.
With the Carling Cup 2^nd round game against Notts County coming up on Tuesday it will be the ideal opportunity to start a cup-run and build confidence for the next league game away to Hull on 30^th August.

Source - Wigan Athletic Official Website