Hull City boss Steve Bruce was angry with his players after defeat at Aston Villa.
Bruce gave a stinging assessment of his team's struggles in the opening 45 minutes, declaring it the worst he has seen in his time at the club.
He was also not willing to offer any free passes due to the midweek disappointment of crashing out of the Europa League on away goals.
"I can't get over how bad we were in the first half. I've been at the club a couple of years and that is arguably the worst I've seen us perform," said Bruce.
"I can't remember us performing so badly.
"I don't look for excuses, I've just never seen so many people perform so badly.
"Whether it's a hangover (from Europe) or whatever I won't accept it. I won't accept a performance where we were so lifeless it's incredible.
"To win a game or take something in the Barclays Premier League you have to perform like we did in the second half.
"We gifted them goals (in the first half), we made mistake after mistake, we didn't get above a jog. We were that poor.
"Maybe it's a wake up call, maybe we were all getting carried away with all the nonsense that has been written about us."
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