Bruce heartened by performance despite result
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce was heartened by his side’s efforts in the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester United, insisting he had the best side of his six-year reign at his disposal.
A defensive slip-up by Franck Queudrue gifted Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to score the only goal of the game – an opportunity the Portuguese accepted deftly.
But Bruce refused to see the down side, insisting it was a game of positives for his team.
“I don’t think we’ll ever have a better chance (to beat United) and in the first half we had to take one of our chances,” he told Setanta.
“An individual mistake, a bad mistake cost us the game.
“A draw would have been a great result for us but it was the manner in which we played (which was pleasing).
“Against one of the big, big teams it was as good a performance as we’ve put in.
“I’ve got the makings of a good young team.
Bruce added: “There were a lot of positive in the way we played, the way we passed the ball, the way we competed with them.
“I’m very optimistic. In the six years I’ve been here this is as good a side as I’ve had.”
