Bruce: Defoe the difference
31 Mar 2008 - 08:59:52
Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce felt that striker Jermain Defoe was the difference between the two sides in Portsmouth's 2-0 win at Fratton Park.
The England frontman netted both goals for Pompey to take his tally to eight in seven games since his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur at the end of January.
Bruce said: "David James was superb, but it is strikers who make the difference. Harry Redknapp pulled off a masterstroke in signing Defoe.
"We created five or six chances and deserved something out of the game, but we made nothing of them, including a penalty, while Defoe scored twice from about three opportunities.
"If you want a front man who will score 15 plus goals a season you are going to have to pay £10million for him and that's the difference."
Pompey manager Redknapp also hailed matchwinner Defoe, adding: "He was born to score goals and I've watched him do it from the age of 15.
"I knew if we could bring him here he would be worth at least 18-20 goals a season for us and what he's doing now is no surprise to me."