Steve Bruce names West Brom duo playing for their future
Steve Bruce has insisted that several West Brom players and himself are still playing for their futures at the club.
The Albion currently sit in 12th in the Championship, eight points off the promotion places – their minimum target for the season.
The former Newcastle United manager claimed that on-loan duo Andy Carroll and Matt Clarke still have a lot of work to do to stay at the Hawthorns next season.
He told Express & Star: “We are all playing for our futures. Me too. We still have a lot to do.
“We’re halfway in this division and I know and you know that is not going to be acceptable and rightly so for a club of this stature.”
“We have to be in and around the top of this division,” the boss added.
“If we finish in mid-table that’s not acceptable so we’re all playing for our futures. Matt Clarke, Andy Carroll, myself. We’re all playing for our futures.
“That’s the way football is. West Brom can’t accept being halfway up the division.”
Sign them up.
Based on both of their performances during their spells at the club this season, both of them should be kept on next term.
Carroll has been one of – if not – the Baggies’ best players since joining the club in January.
There are some concerns with the forward being 33-years-old but he has more than proven his worth with multiple key performances and goals.
West Brom should look to tie him down to a similar short-term deal at the Hawthorns given his age. Even with Daryl Dike returning next season it is vital to have a reliable replacement for the American who is still largely untested as an Albion player.
Similarly, Clarke should be signed on a permanent basis. He has been dubbed the “best player” by Bruce since his arrival which tells you everything you need to know about the Brighton & Hove Albion defender.
At 25-years-old, he still has a lot more to offer and having one of the former Hull City managers’ favourites in the squad for next season would put him in a good sted from the off which is very important with a strong start to the season absolutely vital.
In other West Brom news, Albion are set to hold talks over Clarke’s future at the club.
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