Steve Bruce delivers harrowing truth about West Brom’s performance following loss to Birmingham City

West Brom manager Steve Bruce has slammed the performance of his players following the 1-0 defeat to rivals Birmingham City and admitted that there is just a ‘sheer lack of quality’ within the team.

Lyle Taylor’s second-half penalty was the difference on what was a largely forgettable derby day at St Andrew’s for reasons more than just the result.

The game as a whole was played at a drab pace and had the feel of a testimonial in parts rather than what should have been a fierce head-to-head.

Bruce claimed immediately after the game that he didn’t believe it was down to a lack of effort from his players but rather a ‘sheer lack of quality.’

Neil Etheridge in the Blues goal wasn’t tested once throughout the 90 minutes and when eight minutes additional time were signaled, the lift it usually gives a team just wasn’t there.

Not only were they unable to have a shot on target during that period but they didn’t muster one on goal the entire afternoon.

That tells a story in itself about how poor the performance really was and yet shockingly, Bruce claims it wasn’t even the worst since he’s been through the door which he finds extremely ‘worrying.’

“No,” the manager bluntly said when asked if that was the worst to date.

“There’s been too many which for me is worrying.”

The result all but put an end to Albion’s slim chances of getting in the Championship play-off places but judging by that display and Bruce’s comments, it’s probably for the best.

A summer of change isn’t wanted at the Hawthorns, it is simply needed.

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