That's definitely true of Smith, I'm not sure it is of Bruce.
He took over a team in 19th place with 10 points from 11 games and probably the most expensive squad ever in the championship and left us in in 13th place, with 15pouints from 11 games but with 1 fit centre half and a squad that was mostly coming up to be out of contract at the end of that season. I'd say he left us roughly where he found us, having been part of a group that took us to the brink of administration.