Express & Star

Steve Bruce: West Brom future for others to decide

Steve Bruce admits he accepts the decision if relieved of his duties as Albion boss as another defeat left the club in the Championship's bottom three.

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The Baggies went down 1-0 at Preston after yet another early goal on a night the club failed to carve out anywhere near enough in search of a response.

Albion dropped into the second-tier relegation zone after being left with a record of just one win in 12.

Bruce is under heavy fire given the club's position. He was handed games after the international break to halt the slide but has managed no points from a possible six this week.

Asked about successive defeats, the manager said: "I understand. We're all judged on results, and they haven't been good enough. I totally get it, before you get there.

"I'll do my utmost to turn it around, I still believe that we are capable of going on a run with the players we've got.

"However, at this moment in time, everyone is finding it tough. We need to roll our sleeves up, get on with the job as best we can and prepare for Saturday."

Asked if he is confident he will be in charge for Saturday's visit of Luton, he added: "That's for other people (to decide).

"I hope so, because I still think I'm the right one to turn it around. I've done it before, especially at this level.

"I'll never quit it, that's for sure, because it's been tough - that's not going to be on the agenda."

He added: "I've been in tough situations before, and the reason I've done over 1000 games is resilience.

"As a player, to a manager, if you want me to sit here and cry my eyes out, it's not going to happen.

"We've got to prepare for Saturday. Prepare tomorrow, get the boys ready for Friday, pick them up and believe in what we're doing because I believe - it might only be me - that we're not far away from being a very decent team.

"If you're going to do this lark, then there'll be tough times. Of course you want to be better.

"My frustration is that we've never been able to arrest the slide since last February. When you win one out of your first 12, then you have to accept what's coming your way.

"Other people will decide if they want to make a change, I fully get that too, but unless I hear different, I will crack on."