Steve Bruce has gone all-in at West Brom but barren spell risks gamble not paying off

When Steve Bruce left Newcastle United last October, his parting comments were sobering.

Bruce had copped for more abuse than most managers get in a career, with the end of his reign on Tyneside welcomed by the vast majority of Newcastle fans.

In an interview with the Telegraph, just days after his exit, he reflected on the level of that abuse.