West Brom manager Steve Bruce defends Sam Johnstone amid fan anger
West Brom manager Steve Bruce has come to the defence of his goalkeeper Sam Johnstone amid heavy scrutiny from Albion fans.
The England international’s contract is up at the Hawthorns at the end of the season and the 28-year-old has been linkedwith a host of Premier League clubs.
Baggies fans believe the ‘keeper has downed tools with his mind already elsewhere, claims that Bruce rubbished.
“The supporters are right to voice their concerns,” Bruce told Express & Star.
“But Sam is a very good goalkeeper. He will be disappointed with the Huddersfield game.
“But these things happen, goalkeepers make mistakes and when they do they are usually punished.
“Thankfully, he doesn’t make too many of them. And he hasn’t made a mistake because he is out of contract.
“Everyone makes mistakes. Now it’s all about how he reacts from it. And I’m confident Sam will react in the right way.”
Loyalty
Johnstone is a keeper that has given West Brom almost everything during his time at the club.
He made some howlers in the draw against Huddersfield, but this certainly isn’t the first time he has made a mistake between the sticks for the Baggies and it might not be the last, even with the short time he is expected to have left at the Hawthorns.
There have never been any underlying reasons for his mistakes but now all of a sudden, he looks set for departure, the fans want to lay into the Englishman – it is a farce.
Have they forgotten that he stayed with the club when they were relegated down to the Championship despite Premier League interest?
He has been very loyal to the club and deserves his move with the undeniable quality he holds. Hopefully he and, more so, the fans can end things on good terms because it would be a real shame if things began to sour in what looks like his last spell as an Albion player.
In other West Brom news, Andy Carroll admits “massive week” for the Baggies’ promotion charge.
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