Many people assumed that West Bromwich Albion had made a canny decision when they unveiled Steve Bruce as boss back in February.
The Baggies were in the Championship play-off places when they decided to roll the dice and replace Valerien Ismael with four-times promotion winner Bruce. The aim was to push on and go after an automatic promotion spot. But it has proved to be anything but a masterstroke. The 61-year-old, who was a shock appointment just months after his high-profile Newcastle exit, has won just two of his 10 games at the helm and suddenly Albion look destined to miss out on the top six altogether.
Sunday saw Bruce's men beaten 1-0 away at Midlands rivals and his old employers Birmingham City. The result leaves West Brom down in 12th place and eight points adrift of the play-offs.
