'I can't defend players' says Steve Bruce

Feb 10 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“It was all we spoke about at half-time, don’t give the referee a decision to make. In their defence they’re both young and honest boys but they will have to learn from that.

“It’s four games now where we’re leading in the last few minutes and we’ve been pegged back. To say I’m shattered is an understatement.”

Bruce was doubly disappointed as he could see the decisions looming after the Portsmouth supporters whipped up a ferocious atmosphere.

Pompey boss Avram Grant was sent to the stands for protesting the ref’s decision to turn away several appeals for a penalty from the home side.

He resisted the temptation to criticise the ref – admitting his own team should have adapted better to the circumstances.

“They put the ref under enormous pressure, the crowd and Avram who got sent off,” he said. “There were howls and derision from everywhere but the referee made the right decision.

“What all the fuss was about after that I don’t know but the one thing we need to be is a bit more professional after that.

“It threw all the impetus back to them. When we went down to ten men we had all the chances. To get done in the last ten seconds, like we were at the Stadium of Light against Portsmouth, is frustrating.” Meanwhile, Steed Malbranque was being assessed in hospital last night after developing chest pains during the game.