Steve Bruce: West Brom boss says 'all to play for' despite Blades loss
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Steve Bruce has managed teams in more than 1,000 games
Steve Bruce insists it is still "all to play for" after starting his West Brom managerial reign with a 2-0 Championship loss at Sheffield United.
Albion have dropped to ninth, only a point adrift of the play-off places - but the first time they have been outside the top six this season.
The Baggies will also appeal the red card shown to skipper Jake Livermore.
But Bruce insists: "A big part of the season is round the corner. We've got to turn our form around.
He told BBC Radio WM: "We've got to get a couple of results, and that's what I'm here for."
Albion have led the table on three occasions this season but the style of play preferred by former boss Valerien Ismael was unpopular with some fans and he was let go by the club last week, leading to Bruce's appointment to his 11th club in 23 and a half years of management.
Bruce was satisfied with the way the players adapted to his preferred back-four formation with only a few days of training to work on it.
"I've asked them to play in a different way to the way they've been playing for six months," he said. "To try and get it right after four, five days. But I decided to go that way because I think that's the way the players will enjoy and will get us the results we need."
The Baggies, handicapped by the fifth red card of Livermore's Albion career, have now lost four times in five Championship games - and won just once in nine. And, with just 34 goals in 30 games, they are the lowest scorers in the second tier's top half.
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"I've asked them to play in a different way to the way they've been playing for six months," he said. "To try and get it right after four, five days. But I've decided to go that way because I think that's the way the players will enjoy and get the results we need.
"Up until 35 minutes we were the better side. They hadn't been a threat to us at all. Then their first attack, they scored but were very fortunate with a ricochet, a horrible one."
"We were a big threat. We missed a big chance with Grady Diangana. We've got to improve and get that balance right. If we do that, we'll be OK."
Albion next face Tony Mowbray's Blackburn Rovers, who themselves lost in midweek to drop to third in the table, at The Hawthorns on Monday night.