Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Bruce praises Taylor effort

27 Dec 2007 - 11:47:48

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Wigan Athletic match-winner Ryan Taylor won high praise from manager Steve Bruce after his stunning free-kick clinched a 1-0 victory at home to Newcastle United.

The 23-year-old former Tranmere Rovers has suffered a number of injury problems since joining the Latics, but has been back in the fold in recent weeks and sunk the Magpies with a terrific set-piece.

Bruce told the Evening Post: "Ryan was smashing free-kicks in during training the other day and we had a little chat about him taking them.

"I asked him whether he had in his locker the ability to bend one the other way and he certainly showed he did.

"I'm delighted to see Ryan on the pitch, his displays recently have epitomised everything about us.

"He's had a horrible time with injuries but he's back in the team and has a wonderful delivery of the ball."

The win lifted the Latics out of the bottom three and gave Bruce his second victory in six games since taking charge at the JJB Stadium.

He added: "When I first arrived I could detect that people were low on confidence, but we've picked ourselves up a bit and have got ourselves together.

"If we can keep playing like that, we have a great chance of staying out of the bottom three."