Monday May 12 2008 12:40
Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is planning to make several changes to his squad in the summer to ensure the Latics are not dragged into another relegation dogfight next term.
Bruce arrived at the JJB Stadium in November when the club were 19th in the table and in grave danger of the drop, but he revived the club's fortunes to such an extent that they eventually finished 14th.
The former Birmingham City manager said after his side's 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United: "We've been on a good run lately and I'd been telling people before the game that United would have to battle like hell to beat us.
"That proved the case. We had the bit between our teeth and the lads enjoyed themselves out there.
"The bottom line is I have some very good players here who have turned in some great performances over recent months.
"I thought Wilson Palacios was absolutely outstanding once again, and Maynor Figueroa - who came in at left-back against Ronaldo - was terrific.
"I've got to say I'm glad there wasn't much riding on the game from our point of view because three big decisions went against us.
"Paul Scholes will go down as one of United's greats - everything about him is top-drawer. But he knows he got away with it. Had it been any other day, it was another yellow card and he'd have been off.
"I have to say there were three unbelievable decisions in the first half. You'd have thought Rio Ferdinand had gloves on and to say the penalty we conceded was harsh is an understatement."
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