Sacking of Hughes is ‘ridiculous’ says Bruce

Dec 20 2009 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

“I never heard anything back, by the way, but then we have this decision today. The sending off is a joke - an outrage.

“The penalty decision was even worse!” Bruce also said Sunderland will appeal against Turner’s red card which, unless it is overturned, will see the centre-back banned for the games against Everton on Boxing Day, Blackburn two days later and the FA Cup third round tie against Barrow on January 2.

Bruce said: “I will appeal against it, because the big blow for us is that Michael could now be suspended for three games.

“I hope the referee will look at it and see it was a challenge between two of the most honest pros you are going to get.

“They were both looking for the ball and the only difference was Michael was higher, and that is why he caught Barry.

“You have to raise your arms when you jump for a ball - otherwise, I might as well tell my centre-half not to go and head it next week in case he is sent off.

“I hope the referee changes his mind, but I doubt it.”

Sunderland came back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2, and then from 3-2 down to level at 3-3 before Roque Santa Cruz hit the winner 20 minutes from time.

Bruce said: “I think we deserved something out of the game but it was not our day.

“However, if we carry on playing like that we will turn it around.

“Our problem is we keep coming to the big clubs – like this one – and performing fantastically well. Against the smaller ones, we don’t.”