There's absolutely no doubt in my mind that Bruce was convinced he did a cracking job at NUFC and was genuinely confused as to why the fans hated him and why he got the chop.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10566907/Bruce-dreadful-start-West-Brom-damage-hired-Ismael-Wilder.html
"New West Brom boss Steve Bruce is already questioning his players’ mental strength"
pretty much that; just carried out his usual centre mid like performance but on the wing. iirc, setup one attack which ended up with Almiron having a piss weak shot from 20 yards late on instead of slipping in Chris Wood.
Just watched the highlights. When I was watching live I thought he just bundled his way past the lad on the halfway line. Actually looks like it was a belting first touch.