Bruce takes charge of Aston Villa for the first time against Wolves on Saturday.
Steve Bruce begins life in the Aston Villa hotseat at home to West Midlands rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday tea time.
The 56-year-old was sworn in at Villa Park on Wednesday, as successor to Roberto Di Matteo, and has two full days to implement his ideas.
Of those there should be plenty, with Bruce having masterminded four promotions in his last four seasons at Championship level.
Last season’s Hull City side were not one of Bruce’s best, but they were certainly effective. Of the eleven players that started May’s play-off final victory over Sheffield Wednesday, none stand below 5′ 10″ – with eight of those over 6′ tall – and it is reasonable to assume the Geordie will adopt a similarly physical approach as he seeks to restore confidence at Villa Park.
That would certainly spell good news for a handful of Villa stars, including two of last weekend’s substitutes Aaron Tshibola and Rudy Gestede.
Athough it may be hard to ignore the likes of Jack Grealish – who starred for England’s Under-21s in midweek – Ross McCormack – a player Bruce has tracked on numerous occasions – and Albert Adomah – a makeshift full-back in the mould of Hull’s Moses Odubajo.
Will this be his maiden Aston Villa line-up?
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