BRUCE kaRlan foR a stEp Up!

StEVE bruCE has told penalty flop karlan Grant to smarten up his spotkick technique.

the West brom boss is a big fan of Grant, who scored twice to take his tally for the season to 18.

the 24-year-old striker converted the first penalty (below) awarded to albion but not the second and bruce said: “He is proving that he can score a goal but I think he can do a lot more.

“they are precious, these people who can score a goal, because we haven’t had many. We are nowhere near it.

“the kid is approaching the peak of his career. I think he has to have a look at his penalty technique for a start! that will be addressed over the summer.

“the last two penalties he has taken that end have been pretty woeful! Maybe we will get him practising penalties in the summer.”

bruce’s bounce is back after a season he describes as “easily the most difficult in 20 years” and reveals he came close to quitting football for good after he was booted out of newcastle.

now he has another

west brom. barnsley .....

target in his sights — a fifth promotion on his CV.

but the scars are still fresh as he admitted: “I did think about retirement, I honestly did. I had a couple of opportunities before this one and said no to them.

“My daughter always says ‘when is it the right time to leave a party’ and when the time is right... you don’t want to go on too long but I’ve still got a bit of life yet.”

Scoring

barnsley had a raw team of youngsters from the under-23s, Grant opening the scoring from the spot before adding a second after adam reach and Matt Clarke had put the baggies in control.

Interim tykes manager Martin Devaney has no idea when he will be told what is happening next as the team tumble into League one.

He said: “It’s been a learning curve but I’ve enjoyed it.”