Bruce reveals fans' fury

Steve Bruce has revealed how himself and the Birmingham players were attacked by a section of their own bottle-throwing supporters after the Easter Monday defeat at Barnsley.

Bruce is currently celebrating leading City back to the Premiership at the first attempt with a rebuilt side.

But only three weeks ago a mini-bus full of fans followed the team coach all the way back from Oakwell after the single goal defeat and vented their fury as they arrived back at the Wast Hills training ground.

Bruce said: “It’s a time when you can stick two fingers up at your critics if you want. I remember when we came back from Barnsley a mini-bus of our own fans chased us down the motorway for the best part of two hours.

“We got back to the training ground and then they threw bottles at us, burnt their shirts, burnt their tickets, everything like that.

“You really do feel like saying ’what are you all about?’ But it’s the way football is now. It’s all part and parcel of it.

“Overall I think the majority of supporters would look at the bigger picture and think ’Steve Bruce has been here six years and he hasn’t done a bad job.’

“It was horrible to get relegated 12 months ago but we’ve done what not many achieve in coming back up at the first attempt with a revamped side.

Bruce is aware of the need to strengthen his squad after clinching a place in the top flight but he will take a short holiday after the final game at Preston on Sunday to recharge the batteries.

He said: “We will look to strengthen the squad and I’ll sit down with the board in the next few weeks and discuss what we are going to do.

“We basically have an annual board meeting and it will be a happier one than 12 months ago!

“I’ve got one or two ideas but first and foremost the need is to get away after next Sunday, have a bit of sun on our backs and enjoy the summer if we possibly can.

“It has been two tough seasons believe you me, this year and last year, and we will come back refreshed again and go again.

“The vast majority of these players are young, they deserve a crack, that’s for sure. but I watched Arsenal on Sunday and was thinking ’they are very good.’

“We do need to strengthen and we’ve gone into the best league in the world again but we will be competitive.”