---
title: "Bruce: Jedinak will continue to play at the back"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2018/08/27/bruce-jedinak-will-continue-to-play-at-the-back/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sheldon Muchmore"
section: "Features & Analysis"
published: "2018-08-27T10:05:42Z"
modified: "2018-08-27T10:05:42Z"
---

# Bruce: Jedinak will continue to play at the back

Many Villa fans have been calling for Steve Bruce to stop playing Mile Jedinak at centre-back and to play a natural defender there instead, but according to [InsideSport](https://www.insidesport.com.au/news/bruce-ill-stick-with-jedinak-at-the-back-511567), Bruce has insisted that he will keep playing the 34-year-old there.

John Terry left the club in the summer and his departure left the club a bit short in this position, with just Chester, Elphick, and Tuanzebe being the only natural centre-backs available.

However, Bruce doesn’t seem to rate Elphick at all (for some unknown reason) and he has been playing Tuanzebe at right-back.

When asked about the issue, Bruce said:

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2018/08/958917502.jpg)

> I see him going forward (playing at centre-back), because I feel we need more energy in the middle of the pitch.
>
> I can pick him (in midfield) for a specific game, that’s why I picked him in the derby against Birmingham last year. You pick him against Cardiff, you pick him against Middlesbrough – the teams which are direct.
>
> I just think that for his career and us at the moment, that’s the progressive thing for him. I think he’ll get better. He had an outstanding few games for us last year. He’s done OK and I’m sure he’ll get better at it.