Gabby Agbonlahor and Ally McCoist clash on talkSPORT over Steve Bruce West Brom future
Gabby Agbonlahor and Ally McCoist have disagreed on talkSPORT over Steve Bruce’s future as West Brom boss after the Baggies’ latest defeat to Preston North End.
Emil Riis’ seventh-minute goal was enough for Ryan Lowe’s side to condemn West Brom to a fourth defeat of the season which sees the Baggies drop into the bottom three.
The pressure is now really on the Baggies boss, but Agbonlahor believes that he should still be given more time at The Hawthorns to turn it around.
Talking on talkSPORT Breakfast [09:24, 6 October], Agbonlahor said: “They need to pick up results soon and in that league, you can move up the table quickly.
“Hopefully, they give him time because I’ve worked under Steve Bruce and his backroom staff and they’re top coaches.
“Steve Bruce must be looking at the defending for the first goal yesterday thinking he didn’t even try and touch or block him.”
McCoist intervened: “I hear what everyone is saying but these are reasons for the defeat and can you make reasons and excuses, but the fact of the matter is that it’s a defeat.
“They play Luton at home at the weekend. It’s as simple as, if they don’t start picking up points he’s going to lose his job.”
Time to go now
One win in twelve Championship matches is form that should see Bruce relieved of his duties. It’s clearly not working for the Baggies with the 62-year-old in charge and a fresh approach is desperately needed at The Hawthorns.
There is an argument to suggest he’s been unfortunate during his tenure at the club, with last night’s fixture a good example of how ineffectual his team are in front of goal. Karlan Grant missed a guilt edge chance in the second half and Grady Diangana probably should’ve got on the scoresheet at least once.
Sometimes it just doesn’t work out and that is the case for Bruce. Remarkably, the Baggies are only eight points off the playoffs, despite being in the bottom three. If a change is made now, there is still hope that this season can be resurrected. This squad has the quality, it just needs someone to kickstart the season into life.
A couple of wins and a new lease of life could see this side lift themselves up the Championship standings in no time at all.
In other West Brom news, a finance expert says Albion have cleared debts with new documents emerging on Companies House.