‘If I don’t win games, I get my head chopped off’: Steve Bruce admits his job is under pressure after six games without a win… with West Brom just three points above drop zone after failing to hold on to lead against Norwich
The world of football can be a cruel and unpredictable place, where fortune can change in an instant. For Steve Bruce, the manager of West Brom, this was a harsh reality check as his team’s slim lead was canceled out by a fortunate goal from Norwich’s Sam Byram. The 1-1 draw at Carrow Road has left Bruce’s job hanging in the balance, with the team now firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. The Albion boss was left frustrated and disappointed, feeling that the big decisions in the game had gone against his team. He was adamant that the referee, Thomas Bramall, had erred in allowing Norwich’s goal to stand, as well as denying his team a clear penalty claim.
The game had started brightly for West Brom, with Dara O’Shea scoring an early header to put his team ahead. The goal was a result of a well-worked free-kick, which caught the Norwich defense napping. However, as the game wore on, Norwich began to find their footing, and it was only a matter of time before they equalized. The goal, when it came, was a fortunate one, with Byram’s shot deflecting off his own arm before crossing the line. The Albion players were incensed, claiming that the goal should have been disallowed due to handball, but the referee was unmoved. For Bruce, this was a critical moment in the game, and he felt that the officials had got it wrong. “I know it’s a hard job, but big decisions have cost us,” he said. “If I don’t win games, I get my head chopped off.”
The draw was a bitter pill for West Brom to swallow, especially given the context of the game. The team is now just three points above the relegation zone, with more games played than the teams around them. The pressure is mounting on Bruce, and he knows that he needs to start winning games to avoid the axe. The international break will give him some time to regroup and reassess, but he will be aware that his job is far from secure. For Norwich, the draw brought an end to their six-game winning streak, but they will be relieved to have salvaged a point from a game that they had struggled to get going in. Their manager, Dean Smith, was pleased with the way his team had fought back, and he backed the officials in their decision to allow the goal to stand.
The game was a tense and closely contested affair, with both teams creating chances. Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki, the strikers for Norwich, had been quiet for much of the game, but they combined well for a shot that was deflected behind off a defender. The resulting corner led to the goal, and it was a moment of fortune that deserted West Brom. The visitors had been solid defensively, but they were unable to cope with the pressure that Norwich applied in the second half. For Bruce, this was a frustrating aspect of the game, as he felt that his team had done enough to win. “It was an absolute stonewall penalty,” he said, referring to the claim that was denied in the first half. “Swifty got a touch, the boy Hanley barged into him – it’s a penalty.”
As the game drew to a close, the tension was palpable. West Brom were pushing hard for a winner, but they were unable to find a way past the Norwich defense. The draw was a fair result, given the balance of play, but it was a disappointing one for Bruce and his team. They had come so close to winning, only to be denied by a fortunate goal. The Albion boss will be left to ponder what might have been, and he will know that he has to start winning games to avoid the drop. The international break will give him some time to reflect, but he will be aware that the pressure will be back on as soon as the team returns to action.
The world of football is a harsh and unforgiving place, where results are all that matter. For Steve Bruce, the draw with Norwich was a bitter pill to swallow, and it has left his job hanging in the balance. The West Brom manager will be aware that he needs to start winning games to avoid the axe, and he will be under pressure to deliver. The international break will give him some time to regroup and reassess, but he will know that the stakes are high. The game against Norwich was a microcosm of West Brom’s season – promising at times, but ultimately disappointing. Bruce will be hoping that his team can turn things around, but he will be aware that time is running out. The football world will be watching with interest to see how this situation unfolds, and whether Bruce can turn things around to save his job.
