Steve Bruce threatens David Button’s contract talks as he hits out at West Brom commuters
West Brom manager Steve Bruce has told David Button he can’t continue to live in Brighton if he is going to get a new contract at the club.
Multiple members of the Baggies squad apparently live a considerable distance away and have to take on high amounts of travel to get to training, including the goalkeeper who signed from the Seagulls two years ago.
Button is set to replace Sam Johnstone in goal for the game against Blackpool tomorrow (15 April), but he and the other commuter members of the squad will have to move closer according to the manager.
Speaking ahead of the game Bruce said, via Express and Star: “He won’t live in Brighton anymore if he wants new [contract] talks.
“It’s something we have to address.
“I don’t think travelling more than an hour can be good for you.
“We have got eight or nine who travel and I don’t think that’s healthy so we’ll try and address it.
“If they have to find an apartment locally and have two homes so be it. They get paid enough.”
Commitment
Nobody enjoys commuting so it can hardly be conducive to high productivity if a significant proportion of the team is doing a great deal of it.
It is not uncommon in football, and even Button’s travel from the south coast is not the furthest, but in terms of rest and recovery, and even a mental connection to the club, a base in the area would surely help.
If this Baggiest squad had been performing to the level they were supposed to then it likely wouldn’t be an issue.
But considering a highly paid set of players who came down from the Premier League last season look likely to finish in mid table, everything has to be looked at.
It is no doubt difficult to quickly find a new house immediately after signing for a new club, and if it is only a short-term deal it might not seem worth it, but years later seems a stretch.
For a reserve goalkeeper like Button it might seem like less of an issue, but with Sam Johnstone on the way out, his audition to be the starter begins tomorrow.
How enforceable Bruce’s new rules are is questionable, but while he’s the manager he picks the team, so those that wish to play look like they will have to fit in.
In other West Brom news, the manager is planning summer talks with a player he has always liked about playing at the club next season.
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