Steve Bruce: Blackpool boss surprised by quality in League One

Blackpool boss Steve Bruce says he has been surprised by the level of quality in League One since joining the club.

The 63-year-old arrived at the club in September – his first job in management since 2022 – after Neil Critchley was sacked.

Bruce oversaw four wins from his first four League One games in charge and has guided the club to 13th in the table, with two wins from two heading into Saturday’s trip to Reading.

“League One has surprised me massively with some of the quality in there. There are some big clubs with big budgets this year so all the more to beat and it’s a really tough year this year,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“No disrespect to Wycombe, although they have bought well and recruited well, nobody thought they would go on to win 10 or 11 on the spin to go top of the league.

“Then you’ve got Huddersfield, Charlton, Bolton, Stockport and it goes on and on – that’s why it’s such a competitive and difficult league that we enjoy.”

Blackpool have a busy period either side of the new year, with seven games in December and six in January. However, it could be extended after their game against Rotherham was postponed due to Storm Darragh last weekend.

“It’s ridiculous when we look at December and January. It’s usually a quiet month but I’ve learned in League One that there are no quiet months,” he added.

“It could be seven or eight games in January. They’re going to come thick and fast so you need your whole squad to cover you.”