West Brom’s Andy Carroll makes training ground admission following Steve Bruce arrival

Andy Carroll has heaped praise on new boss Steve Bruce for the changes made to training sessions at West Brom. 

The former Newcastle and Aston Villa manager replaced Valerien Ismael, who was sacked in January, and has already won over his new players.

Carroll, who has played under Steve Bruce before, has revealed his new manager has already begun making positive changes off the pitch.

Bruce was announced as the new West Brom boss just two weeks ago and the veteran coach is yet to win in charge of his new club after two games, however did pick up an impressive point against Blackburn in their last outing.

That hasn’t stopped Carroll praising his new boss and revealing the players are enjoying their new training regime under Bruce. He told the Express&Star: “The training he (Bruce) puts on is sharp and intense and the lads are really enjoying it. There is a lot of small-sided games which the gaffer likes to do to allow competition among the lads.

“I’ve had managers in the past who haven’t liked playing five-v-five or six-v-six games. But the gaffer likes it and the boys do to.”

After rumours of squad discontent under Ismael, cultivating a positive dressing atmosphere would certainly been at the top of the list for Steve Bruce.

And Carroll revealed Bruce has brought a number of punishments for losing training matches to increase competitiveness: “The day before a game, the worst player in those games has to bring the shower gels in. Thankfully, I haven’t been on the losing team yet.

“But Granty has been a few times so hopefully he’ll bring some decent Molton Browns (shower gel) in for everyone.”

The Verdict

Steve Bruce has a good reputation for turning teams around. He did it at Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and made