West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Luton Town: Steve Bruce defends substitutions after boos
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Brandon Thomas-Asante had West Brom's best chances in the first half
Defiant West Brom manager Steve Bruce defended his substitutions after being booed by fans as their winless Championship run stretched to eight games with a frustrating scoreless draw against Luton Town at The Hawthorns.
Three defeats in four games had left Albion third from bottom - their lowest league position in 21 years - and they remain in the relegation zone, having won just once in 13 league games this season.
Despite being on top and creating the better chances, loud chants of 'Bruce out' and 'you don't know what you're doing' could be heard around the ground when Bruce replaced Brandon Thomas-Asante and the impressive Grady Diangana inside the final 10 minutes.
He told BBC WM: "Obviously they [the fans] didn't like the substitutions, but both of them have picked up knocks and I'm bringing on a centre-forward who scored 18 goals for us last year [Karlan Grant] and John Swift, who's got more assists than anybody else in the Championship last year.
"Of course they weren't happy about it which maybe, when they hear about it later, they'll understand better.
"I've been in this a long, long time. If you've been doing it for 1,000 games you'd like to think you know what you're doing."
But Bruce did praise supporters for the way they backed his side in the most part.
"I have to say I thought the supporters were terrific," he added. "They got right behind the team. They could see the effort and endeavour.
"I understand their frustration because that's not borne out of just this season, their frustration has been, for me, a build-up over a good couple years.
"Because I hear 'you don't know what you're doing', does it mean I'm going to walk out? No is the answer. Whatever happens above me is for other people to decide, I will carry on until I know different - I'm determined to turn the club around."
An encouraging start and strong first-half display had seen the hosts on top, with Thomas-Asante providing the main goal threat. The forward shot into the side-netting from a Jed Wallace pull-back and then clipped the outside of the post following a neat turn.
Dara O'Shea also headed wide from a corner, while the impressive Wallace had an effort well saved by Luton keeper Ethan Horvath.
The visitors also came close to scoring when Dan Potts' header was cleared off the line by Okay Yokuslu while six-goal striker Carlton Morris could only find the side-netting when well placed.
The Baggies continued to look the more likely side to make a breakthrough on the resumption.
Thomas-Asante picked out Conor Townsend, whose low near-post shot was well saved by Horvath, and Wallace narrowly missed the target with a fierce strike from distance.
At the other end, a deflected Elijah Adebayo effort tested keeper Alex Palmer, but the suffering Baggies fans were at least spared the pain of a fifth loss in 13 league games this season.
Luton were unable to earn a fourth consecutive away win, but a run of just one defeat in nine sees them remain ninth.
Luton boss Nathan Jones:
"It was hard fought but it is a tough place to come, regardless of their position. They are a good attacking side.
"We defended really, really well. We had a few situations where the ball went across our box but we have had the best chance with one off the line. It is a good point. We worked hard and defended well.
"They are in a false position. They are a good side, I know there is unrest but I have been there, playing well and not getting results, it is frustrating. They are just not getting the results and it is one of those things.
"But they are a good side. Steve is a good manager, an experienced manager, and they will turn it around."