Steve Bruce admits West Brom 'mistake' as Reading switch offers food for thought

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce has revealed that the plan for next season is to utilise a four-man defence as they did during the 1-0 win at Reading.

A back three had been used by the Albion boss for the previous ten matches in charge, in much the same ilk as predecessor Valerien Ismael, to some success. When fielded in a 3-5-2 formation, Bruce's side lost just three matches, drawing another trio while winning the other four.

That was in stark contrast to the start of the former Newcastle United head coach's reign. After replacing Ismael, the new manager's preferred 4-3-3 formation was immediately implemented in four of his first five games in charge but was quickly scrapped as they picked up just one point out of a possible 15.

Bruce acknowledged before the Reading match that the initial alteration was maybe made too fast and an error. "Maybe I tried to change it too quickly when I first came in," said Bruce. "It was probably a mistake, in hindsight, but I'd rather play a back four."

That preference came to the fore against the Royals last weekend as Kyle Bartley returned alongside Semi Ajayi while Dara O'Shea shifted out to right-back on the opposite flank to Conor Townsend, who was moved back to a more natural full-back role. The early returns pleased the Albion boss.

“That is the way I’d like to go moving forward," Bruce admitted after the win. "We played that way in mind of next season when we start afresh. Whether that’s 4-4-2, or 4-2-3-1 as we call it now, it’s something I am looking at."