Steve Bruce

I watched the highlights of our win over Blackburn last night and while I still believe Steve Bruce is - barring a major overhaul of his backroom staff in the summer - not the man for the job, I feel for him. Does he care about Blues? Yes, and more than just as a job. As each goal went in, you saw the reaction on his face - the disbelief when Savage steered the rebound into the net for Blackburn's equaliser, the ecstacy (seconds before his son Alex leaped on him) when Forssell scored his first league goal in open play for two years. The joy on his face when walking back to the dressing rooms after the game.

Last Friday Bruce beamed at his press conference when he was finally able to announce a fully fit squad for the first time this season. Jarosik never made Sunday, Upson ruptured his achilles tendon and will be out for six months during the warm up, and Dunn lasted just 16 minutes. Against Blackburn Pennant limped off after 36 minutes, and Heskey left the field of play with a twisted ankle after 66 minutes. All five plus Lazaridis will be missing for Saturday.

While our injury crisis is symptomatic of something much deeper than just bad luck, I can't help but feel for Bruce personally. Forget Blues' predicament, when we have our big players available we're a better team. My criticism of him as been harsh at times, and no doubt will be if/when we're finally relegated, but at this moment in time, I wonder if he doesn't deserve a chance to at least start next season in charge. But survive or not, if he does he needs to revamp his backroom staff - or at least his fitness staff. There are stories doing the rounds about them that suggests that bad luck is not the only reason for our fitness problems...