Andy Carroll aims brutal dig at former boss Steve Bruce ahead of Reading v West Brom

Andy Carroll aims an incredibly brutal dig at former boss Steve Bruce ahead of the Championship game Reading v West Brom on Saturday.

The Royals striker Andy Carroll has criticised Brucey by claiming his side were ‘guaranteed three points’ against the Baggies this weekend before the club axed the manager.

The West Midlands club sacked Bruce on Monday after falling to 22nd in the Championship, following a run of one win and eight draws from 13 matches.

🗣️ Andy Carroll on Steve Bruce’s sacking..

“It’s always sad to see people get the sack, especially when we were guaranteed three points at the weekend”

😬😬😬

(via @james_e1871) pic.twitter.com/YCIS5l0HNy

— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) October 13, 2022

Andy Carroll stuck the knife and twisted when it came to talking about the former manager after his West Brom sacking.

The duo worked together at Newcastle United for two seasons, with Bruce bringing the striker back to Tyneside on a free transfer – just eight years after his £35million exit.

One goal in 43 appearances for the Magpies saw Carroll released in 2021. The target man signed for West Brom in January this year, only to be reunited with Bruce a few days later when the club appointed him as manager.

But Carroll faced the 61-year-old’s axe for the second time in 12 months as his short-term contract was not renewed over the summer. There is a grudge between the duo as he paid little sympathy to Bruce’s recent departure.

One win in their opening 12 games gave West Brom – sitting third-bottom of the Championship – no choice but to get rid of the ex-Toon boss, especially after a bust-up with a fan. Carroll’s new side, Reading, are set to face the Baggies on Saturday.

Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Carroll wished he had a chance to play against the Midlands outfit under his former boss.

“It’s always sad to see people get the sack,” he started. “Especially when we were guaranteed three points at the weekend. It is a shame but that’s football.

“You don’t get the results, it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s why you have to keep the lads together and work hard as a manager and get the lads working hard for you. Everyone is enjoying themselves.”

A popular figure during his spell with the club, he admitted he was surprised to see the Premier League regulars in the bottom three.

“I’m surprised,” he said. “They’ve got a great squad and a great team. It’s surprising to see them down there but it is the way football is. If they win the next three or four games they’re right back up there.”

West Brom News site responded to this by writing: “Bruce was given plenty of time to turn things around at The Hawthorns. The board were extremely lenient and could’ve pulled the trigger earlier, but he was afforded time and he couldn’t make things work.

“It says it all that rival players were considering West Brom a “guaranteed three points” with Bruce at the helm.

“Carroll knows more than most about what the Baggies dressing room was like under Bruce, and it seems he may have started to lose the players before the season had even begun.

“Carroll commenting on keeping “the lads together” suggests that Bruce was already losing grip on his players while Carroll was at the club.

“It became clearer and clearer as time ticked on that the players had downed tools towards the end of his tenure. Hopefully, his replacement can drag West Brom out of the drop zone and up towards where they deserve to be.”

This is what Twitter users said as Andy Carroll aims a brutal dig at former boss Steve Bruce ahead of Reading v West Brom…

@James18209464: Well fair play, Bruce is the only reason AC didn’t get an extension. And he’s right. It would’ve been garunteed 3 PTS under Bruce. Still might be cus we have an interim manager but we have a better chance with him than Bruce

@wbafelix: He’s not wrong. Saying it how it is

@Abz_Bl: imagine letting andy carroll banter you 😭😭

@Dubstep1988: I didn’t fall madly in love with Andy Carroll last season. He didn’t play enough, we didn’t play to him well enough – square peg, round hole. This season he’s been an absolute menace, we play to him and now he’s dropping bombs like this? Now… now I’m in love. #readingfc

@Geordiebaggie: Brilliant AC. Bruce as he knew was useless

@Musttrytobegood: Haha. About time someone with direct experience of the footballing fraud that is Bruce spoke out. #NUFC

@discotoon: Brucie being found out

@Mack3mSlayer: “Andy carroll he’s one of our own”

@23rodge: Putting aside the funny quote about guaranteed 3 points the most damning part was “That’s why as a manager you have to work hard…” sums up what we all knew. Buggering off on holiday when in massive trouble, late to training, not taking fitness seriously & that was just Bruce

@LaneHusband1: Go on, Andy! Always knew he hated him 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 #NUFC

@CassFox_: Either an AC2 masterclass or 4-1 WBA on saturday.

@BenStevo1871: I love it

@TatumRFC: Give him a lifetime contract now! #ReadingFC

@ElmParkRoyals: More spicy than a vindaloo 🔥

@TheLMSavage: Big Andy going in like the flying ox that he is

@mitchrfc1: Fuck me we have to win Saturday now

@TalkReading: Shots fired. You can’t not love Andy Carroll. #readingfc

@Nathhhavfc: Unreal 😭😭😭😭

@mick1892: Go on @AndyTCarroll lad 👏🏼👏🏼😂🤣🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤

@Thommo414: Absolutely ice cold stuff from Carroll, I love it

@YouBaggies: Piss taking donkey twat. Not wrong though 😂 #wba

@SimonJudson: Oh this is just beautiful @AndyTCarroll

@BfcCtn: Quality remark 🤭

@manxpie86: 😂 he’s gonna get absolutely slaughtered in a few years when they all bring books out

@paullynufc79: Ha ha ha yes, @AndyTCarroll 🤣👏 #NUFC

@kendallrowanx: Andy is a Geordie

@GingerPirlo_: Carroll is a lad, like. Shame his legs are made of skittles. #nufc