Steve Bruce: Stupid mistake cost us the game

Apr 12 2010 by James Hunter, The Journal

STEVE Bruce insists Sunderland deserved at least a point at West Ham, after admitting his side were undone by a ‘stupid mistake’.

The Black Cats lost 1-0 at Upton Park, with the Hammers’ Brazilian striker Ilan taking advantage of a defensive lapse to score the goal just after half-time.

Bruce, though, pointed to the chances his side created as proof Sunderland deserved a draw against Gianfranco Zola’s relegation strugglers.

He said: “We came away from the game wondering how on earth we did not take anything from it.

“I could say that about half a dozen games this season at least, where we ended up frustrated and disappointed.

“Our mentality has to be better than that, and we have to eradicate the silly, stupid mistakes we make.

“We gave a poor goal away. We had spoken about it at half time – the long ball and the flick-on from Carlton Cole was about all West Ham had – but we did not deal with it.

“In the Premier League that is unforgivable and we have to take our medicine.

“We had a few chances but we did not take them, but I could not fault our honesty and endeavour – that was there for everyone to see.”