Bruce backs Baggies approach

Latics boss full of praise for Mowbray's mentality

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 27th November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce backs Baggies approach

Mowbray: Sticking to his guns

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Wigan boss Steve Bruce believes his West Brom counterpart Tony Mowbray is right to stick with his footballing philosophy.

The Baggies are currently floundering at the foot of the Premier League table, with critics questioning the club's approach to life in the top-flight.

They have taken just 11 points from 14 games so far, seeing them slip four points adrift of safety.

Mowbray has always insisted that he will not waver from his passing approach, regardless of recent results.

With a crunch clash at fellow strugglers Wigan to come on Saturday he could be forgiven for questioning that stance, but his weekend nemesis Bruce believes West Brom will eventually reap the rewards of playing the game in the right manner.

Principles

"I'm not going to tell Tony how to do it, that's for sure, but I think when you are a manager you do what you think is right," Bruce said.

"You have to stick with your beliefs and principles, and Tony has done a smashing job since he has been there.

"He wants to play football, he wants to play open and attractive football, because that's the way he feels is best for his footballers and the development of his club.

"You have to take your hat off to him because his principles have served him very, very well. I still live in the midlands and they talk about him having a very good football team.

"They stormed the Championship when everyone said you couldn't do it playing like that, so I don't think Tony would listen to anyone else. He'll do it his way and rightly so."

Bruce also believes that any side caught up in the relegation battle at present will not be too worried just yet, as only seven points separates the whole of the bottom half of the table.

Competitive

"They (West Brom) might be bottom of the league but they are within touching distance of the rest," Bruce reasoned.

"We were in the bottom three last week - all of a sudden we win and we jump up a few places.

"Tony has got West Brom in a position where they have won a few games and been competitive in the league.

"They are one of 12 or so clubs who are in there and if they can put together a few results they are capable of climbing up the league too.

"A year ago, Derby and ourselves were cut adrift, but there is nobody in the Premier League this time who is adrift - which is why it is the league it is and why it is so tight.

"If you win a few games, you shoot up the table. If you lose a couple, you end up being in trouble."