Steve Bruce hints at huge overhaul at West Brom, makes Aston Villa transfer claim

West Brom manager Steve Bruce has suggested there could be up to six new first team players through the door at the Hawthorns this summer with a massive overhaul needed.

The former Newcastle United boss also pointed to one of his old clubs, Aston Villa, comparing the scenario he faced there to the one that awaits him over the next few months with Albion.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this season hasn’t gone to plan for West Brom.

Currently sat 13th in the Championship table, this was a team many fancied for an instant return back to the Premier League.

But one manager sacking and a whole lot of bad results later, the campaign has petered out in the most dull of fashions.

Players either look disinterested or are simply not good enough and it’s those same players that unfortunately appear to be stuck on huge, almost illogical contracts.

Whilst there is far more too it, it’s no surprise that it has left many fans of the Albion feeling disillusioned and disconnected with the team.

It’s not an easy fix when things get to that stage at a football club but Bruce believes he’s the man to oversee the change, especially having experienced something along the same lines at Villa Park just a few years ago.

Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Coventry City on Saturday, the manager said:

“I was in a similar position to this one down the road at Aston Villa.”

“It needed a major rebuild and we went on to lose the play-off final. I was sacked three months later but that is football.

“We didn’t have a huge amount money. I had to sell (Nathan) Baker the big centre-half to bring in John Terry. You have got to wheel and deal and I’d like to think I’ve got the experience to get that across.

“I think they have seen the same players too often maybe.

“It’s not the players fault either. But we need to freshen the whole place up.

“We are going to work as hard as we can. Not everyone is going to go and let’s be fair we have still got some good players for this division here.

“But the club needs to be freshened up. There is a lot that have been here for a long time and I think the supporters want to see some new faces more than anything.

“And the players that do stay will respond to that. Absolutely they will. You can change the manager or the coach. But there is nothing like a new player, a good player, coming in.

“Maybe it will be three, four, five, six, maybe.”

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