Bruce receives players’ backing

CAMERON JEROME insisted Steve Bruce must remain as Birmingham manager if Carson Yeung completes his protracted takeover of the club.

Bruce held talks with the Hong Kong-based businessman after this rollercoaster victory and emerged to claim the meeting had been “very positive” before leaving St Andrews.

Yeung has declined to rubber-stamp Bruce’s new contract and has come under fire for his actions from the current Blues co-owner David Sullivan.

And he was left in no doubt about the support Bruce commands from supporters and the dressing room before flying back to Hong Kong on Sunday.

Fans chanted “there’s only one Steve Bruce” during the win over the Latics while the players made a point of celebrating with the former manager at the final whistle.

Jerome said: “Steve Bruce is a big part of what is at Birmingham City. We got relegated two seasons ago and he got us straight back up in the Premier League and he has done a great job so far.

“The personnel inside the club would not want anyone else in. He deserves his chance just as much as anyone else.

“If there is someone coming to take over, my opinion would be to stay patient because he has not done anything wrong to be fair to him.

“The players want to play for the manager. They did last season and are doing so now. They are hungry to do that and they don’t want any changes now. That is why the lads are giving 110% every time.”

Birmingham backed up their words with actions as Olivier Kapo’s brace, together with a rare goal from Liam Ridgewell, sealed a precious victory. Wigan, who had twice forged ahead through Marcus Bent, have now lost five games in a row and are facing a bleak winter.

BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-4-2): Taylor 6, Kelly 7, Schmitz 7, Ridgewell 7, Queudrue 5, Palacios 6 (Larsson 78, 6), Nafti 7, Muamba 5 (O’Connor 62, 6), De Ridder 7 (McSheffrey 90, 6), Kapo 8, Jerome 6.

Subs Not Used: Kingson, Danns.

WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Kirkland 7, Melchiot 7, Granqvist 6, Bramble 5, Kilbane 5, Valencia 6, Scharner 6, Landzaat 4, Koumas 6, Sibierski 5 (Aghahowa 84, 5), Bent 8.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Pollitt, Boyce, Skoko.

REFEREE: Steve Tanner (Somerset) 7: There was little in the way of controversy at St Andrews but Tanner was impressive. His penalty decision was spot on.

MATCH RATING: *** A precious win for Bruce, who deserves to be kept on by Birmingham’s new owners. Wigan are facing a long struggle.