Boss looks to overcome a ‘weary’ Baggies side

STEVE Bruce says Sam Allardyce is right to suggest the Baggies have a big disadvantage ahead of tomorrow’s crucial clash at the Hawthorns.

The high-noon showdown takes place just two days after West Brom’s agonising 1-0 home defeat to Everton.

Allardyce has previously complained the schedule is unfair on his players, who will have less time to recover for what could be a pivotal match in their own battle to avoid relegation.

However, Bruce won’t complain and wants his players to gain the upper hand and cash in on Albion’s weary legs.

Bruce said: “It’s a fair point, of course, but we’ve all had such a hectic schedule.

“Our schedule a couple of weeks ago was bordering on being ridiculous also.

“We knew by looking at it, it was going to be a tough call for everybody, and the most difficult thing for the players, in particular, is there has been no break.

“When you look at the injuries most teams have, then that’s the consequence of it.”

Bruce goes into the game having been publicly backed by a man who has done the job at United in Allardyce, who has also managed Bolton, Blackburn, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Sunderland in the top flight.

When asked about the former England manager’s difficult task of keeping the Baggies up this season, Bruce added: “We’ve been in it a long, long time. We seem to have started together.

“I have the hugest respect for what Sam has done throughout his career, the longevity he has.

“He seems to come back to do this fire-fighting job, which he has been brought in to do.

“He’s a football man and is very, very good at what he does.”