Steve Bruce needs credit for ‘bold’ West Brom changes – Adrian Goldberg
Adrian Goldberg has hailed West Brom manager Steve Bruce, highlighting three major changes the 61-year-old made against Hull City.
Albion remained in 13thplace in the Championship following their first win since late January with a 2-0 victory at the KC Stadium.
Goldberg pinned the win on the “bold” changes Bruce made in the search for his first Baggies victory.
“He was bold, and I think there were three areas of boldness for me,” he said speaking on The Liquidator Podcast. “One was reverting back to the back five with three centre backs.
“I think that suits the players that we have got, and it also meant there was a place for Matt Clark in the team who I think is one of our better defenders.
“He brought Taylor Gardner-Hickman in, finally, into central midfield. And up front perhaps the boldest one of all, taking Andy Carroll out of the team.
“Credit to the boss on this occasion.”
Finally
Wow. Bruce will be the most relieved man in football after that result. The longer he went without his first win the worse his spell at the club was likely to get.
There were a lot of disgruntled fans when the former Newcastle boss was appointed and hopefully, they can now get on board with Bruce after his first win.
He can now put that misfortune behind him and focus on building on what was an impressive win for West Brom.
Admittedly some of his changes seemed strange before the game but the boss got it spot on.
Matt Clarke was terrific in a back three that should be used more often. Taylor Gardner-Hickman was brilliant in midfield also despite being tipped as a full-back by the seemingly clueless U23 coaches.
Bruce should trust his gut more after making such big calls and them paying off so well. It was only a win against struggling Hull but nobody will be complaining with three points in the bag.
In other West Brom news, Steve Bruce calls for more from Grady Diangana.
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