West Brom boss Steve Bruce has come in for criticism after suggesting pre-season counts for very little despite the Baggies coming off the back of their worst league finish in more than 20 years.
Veteran boss Bruce took up the reins at Albion last February, after Valerien Ismael was axed. But after taking over a side sitting fifth in the Championship, the 61-year-old was unable to steer them to the play-offs.
Their final placing of 10th represents Albion's lowest finish since way back in the 1999-2000 campaign. Albion begin the new season away at Middlesbrough on July 30 and so have just over a fortnight to prepare for that tough-looking clash.
