Bruce's brief farewell to players at Wast Hills

Nov 20 2007 By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

STEVE Bruce cleared his desk and said his goodbyes to Blues players and staff at Wast Hills yesterday.

He spoke with Eric Black, who he wants to take to Wigan Athletic, before letting him continue with the planning for Saturday's game.

Training was scheduled for an afternoon start due to the squad being given a long weekend break.

Black addressed the players and told them to be professional and continue to focus as they would anyway under his guidance for the visit of Portsmouth.

He stressed he remained 100 per cent committed to Blues, would perform to the best of his ability and revealed the only thing he had been told by the board was he would be in charge for three weeks at least.

Black is likely to be assisted by goalkeeper coach Nigel Spink on Saturday as Keith Bertschin has also departed.

Reserve team coach Bertschin said his farewells yesterday and packed up his belongings at the West Heath training HQ.

Bruce explained his reasons for going to the players in a brief meeting, said he was disappointed, and wished them luck, and the pleasantry was returned.

Bruce is set to be officially unveiled by Wigan tomorrow and his first game is away at Arsenal on Saturday.