Bruce clears up Melchiot issue

Bruce was impressed with his new side after the 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. The Latics managed to hold out until the final ten minutes and gave the tabel toppers plenty to think about during hte ninety minutes.

Steve Bruce says there is no bad blood between him and Mario Melchiot

Bruce said: "I thought the team worked really hard [against Arsenal] and were a little unlucky. We clearly need to guard against that and to become hard to beat.

"I have already identified some areas where I think we can improve but generally I will say that having studied the squad, there are some fantastic players at this football club and as a group, they should be doing far better than they are.

"That's my job to start putting that right, that's why I have been brought in and the first priority of course."

Meantime, on the subject of both Emile Heskey, and Mario Melchiot, whom Bruce worked with during his time at Birmingham. Bruce added: "I'm looking forward to working with the whole squad. Emile did fantastically well for us at Birmingham, but when we got relegated you have to make a decision on who goes and Emile was one.

"I've just spoken to Mario and it's never been an issue, I wanted to clear that up with him. When you get relegated there is going to be disappointed people and you have to make changes and that's what happened. There is no bad blood between us and I'm looking forward to working with him."