Bruce's View: Blackburn Rovers

Last updated : 22 October 2005 By Brian Cartlidge

With the game goalless after 48 minutes of pretty dire football, Matthew Upson tangled with Rovers striker Paul Dickov on the edge of the penalty area and referee Barry Knight awarded a spot kick to the home side which Dickov duly converted to give Rovers the lead.

"I thought the penalty decision was pathetic," Bruce said after the 2-0 defeat at Ewood Park.

"We were comfortable until then, but the decision totally changed the game and it's very disappointing.

"It's probably the worst penalty decision I've ever seen given.

"We have to go back to basics now as we know we're in for a long hard winter but I'm convinced we can turn things around because we've got the players.

"We've got too many of our big players, with the exception of Emile Heskey and Damien Johnson out there today, not performing for us at the moment."