Bruce Impressed With Fighting Spirit

Following the friendly with Gibralter based Newcastle United, Bruce wasn't a bit concerned with the fiery nature showed by the players.

During the game there were a number of flashpoints, Danns, Kilkenny and Pennant all got stuck in, with Pennant receiving a yellow card.

'No, I don't mind it when it's like that, and what's happened with us is that we've got two or three chomping at the bit so it got a bit tasty but that was okay. It was a decent work-out,' said Bruce.

'The heat was stifling and at kick-off we had a temperature check on the pitch and it was 34 degrees celsius, and they've had 20-odd training sessions.

'The day before we fatigued them and it was a bit of a struggle but that's what pre-season is for.

'The opposition came and showed a lot of pride in that first half and, if you don't score - which is what happened - you lose that little bit of initiative.'

Blues won the encounter 0-6 in the end, with DJ Campbell again bagging himself a hattrick. Other goals were from Martin Taylor, Johnson and Danns I believe.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.