BRUCE: TERRY IS HAVING A HUGE IMPACT
STEVE Bruce has leapt to the defence of John Terry, insisting the former England skipper is having a big impact at the club despite a slow start to the season.
The Midlands side kicked off their campaign with just one win from their first four league games, with the defence coming under fire after defeats on the road to Cardiff and Reading.
As arguably the highestprofile signing in the entire league, Terry had been expected to make an immediate impact at the heart of the Villa defence.
However, Bruce explained that his influence has already stretched much further than simply on the pitch, with the 36year-old playing his part in changing the mindset of the club – particularly among the younger players.
Bruce said: “A couple of bad results don’t paper over the effect he’s had. What I needed is someone who has been there, done it, worn the T-shirt, and show them how it’s done.
“For the younger lads in the team he’ll have an effect on them big style, because of how he’s done it, how he’s gone about his work, and how he is.
“For example, we went to Colchester away on a horrible night, probably the worst of the year, but he drove to the game himself and turned up in the dressing room, even though he wasn’t involved. He took the young lads and shook them by the hands to wish them luck.
“He could have sat back and not given a monkey’s, but that’s the reason why I brought him here, to bring that mentality.
“Before I got here that mentality was losing, but that won’t happen on my watch.
“I needed somebody alongside me in the dressing room who thinks exactly the same way, and I’ve got that person.”