Joe Ellis

Wed 5 October 2022 8:34, UK

Steve Bruce is under immense pressure as West Brom manager but Carlton Palmer still insists he is a good manager and “fantastic bloke.”

The Baggies have just one win so far this season and sit perilously above the relegation zone on goal difference thanks to the struggles of Middlesbrough and Huddersfield Town.

Saturday’s defeat at home to Swansea City was the final straw for some but Palmer, a BBC pundit, believes that there is still hope although it may be difficult for him to keep his job.

The tide’s turned for Steve. It’s going to be very difficult for him now, I would assume to hold on to his job,” he said to Football League World.

“They’ve only had three defeats, but they’ve only got one win in 11 games. I know they’ve drawn seven games, but they’re eight points away from a play-off place.

“And, as much as I love Steve Bruce and I think he’s a fantastic bloke, this is not personally what I want to see happen, but in football, you don’t get that time.”

Last chance

Albion will take on Preston North End this evening (Wednesday, 5 October) and Bruce will not have a better chance to start fixing the issues than this given the form of Ryan Lowe’s side.

The Lilywhites have scored just three goals all season and have played out six 0-0 draws in 11 matches under Lowe and another against West Brom could be enough to see Bruce get the sack.

There had been inklings that he was on his way out of the club after Swansea came from 2-1 down to take all three points back to South Wales but the management have not moved to sack him yet.

But this feels very much like the last-chance saloon for Bruce with anything but victory in Lancashire possibly seeing him leave the club very swiftly.

It is now on the players to show that they still want the former Manchester United defender to be their manager or if they too are ready for something different.

In other West Brom news, the boss has not helped his cause after what he said to the media on Tuesday emerged on Twitter.