‘Very much needed win for the fans and Steve Bruce’ – Jobi McAnuff
West Brom and Steve Bruce have been praised for their “much-needed win” over Hull City at The Hawthorns on Saturday by Jobi McAnuff.
The Baggies were yet to win a game this season prior to their 5-2 victory over Bruce’s former club and pressure was beginning to mount on the club and the manager.
However, the emphatic victory has relieved some of that pressure and Sky Sports pundit McAnuff believes it was a win that the club desperately needed.
Speaking on the EFL Highlights Show on ITV on Saturday night (20 August at 14m 10secs), he said: “It was a very much needed win, not just for the fans but also for Steve Bruce.
“They were excellent against Watford and were on the wrong side of some poor finishing.
“That win would have pleased him and the fact they shared the goals around today must have also been very pleasing.”
WBA v Hull City
This was definitely a victory the Baggies needed as negativity and uncertainty were beginning to surround the club due to their start to the season.
Steve Bruce’s side, who were without a win prior to meeting Hull City, had only scored three goals all season and their attack looked extremely blunt.
Their highly publicized hunt for a striker was also proving to be unsuccessful as they had lost out on target Liam Delap to Championship rivals Stoke City.
However, in this game, all those problems were put to the side as a clinical and ruthless attacking performance put Hull City to the sword.
The Baggies dominated possession against the Tigers, completing more than double the passes Hull made as well as having a significantly higher pass accuracy percentage.
They will be concerned about the two consolation goals they conceded, and a striker will still be on their wishlist, but this victory was a hugely important one for the club.
In other West Brom news, the club have reportedly freed up wages to sign a striker.