Bruce pays tribute to players

Last updated : 12 May 2003 By Brian Cartlidge
Blues went a goal down to West Ham but any signs that they were about to lay down and accept defeat were soon diminished as they fought back to take a 2-1 lead before the Hammers equalised a minute from time.

"It was typical of our lads that they still managed to make a fight of it, we've come back from a goal down and could have won it towards the end, Bruce said after the game.

"It was a magnificent goal from Stern and probably one of the goals of the season, but then we've switched off with a few minutes to go and we've ended up with a draw.

"Overall though we've got to look at the season and say what a fantastic year we've had.

"Staying in the Premier League is a great achievement by everybody and all the players deserve a pat on the back.

"We're the top club in the Midlands and that hasn't happened for a long time.

"One thing we have to do now is carry on improving because we've only just started and it gets harder believe me.

"We've got to sit down this week and talk to a few people about our targets for the summer and who we want to add to our squad. We will be looking at adding two or three additions to the squad but they've got to be the right ones.

"We've got a great spirit in the squad at the moment so I've got to make sure that the players I bring in go along with that and don't disturb it."


WEST HAM MATCH REPORT