Steve Bruce has been a hit at Aston Villa so far in his month-long reign.
Speaking to Aston Villa’s official website, defender Nathan Baker has lavished praise on manager Steve Bruce following his arrival in October.
The 55-year-old was hired to replace axed Roberto Di Matteo one month ago and so far it looks a very good appointment by the Villans’ board.
Di Matteo only managed to win one of Aston Villa’s first 11 Championship games, but Bruce is unbeaten in the five games he has had in charge, with three of those being victories.
The former Hull City boss also secured the club’s first away victory in 14 months following the 2-1 win at Reading last month.
With Villa only five points adrift of a playoff spot, there is plenty of time for Aston Villa to still salvage something this season, and Baker has been delighted with the “brilliant” manager so far.
He told the club’s official website: “He’s been brilliant since he came in. What you see is what you get from him. He’s a nice guy, very honest and very approachable.
“There’s a good dialogue between him and the players – there’s a real respect there.
“He has wiped the slate clean and told the lads that they’ll be judged from now onwards and that’s all you can ask from a manager – to be assessed each week ahead of matchday. If you train well, you’re in. If you don’t, you’re out.”
Aston Villa visit second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday night in perhaps Bruce’s toughest test so far.
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