The 2-0 defeat at West Brom on sunday and results elsewhere involving sides at the wrong end of the table mean Blues still need quite a few points before they can safely admit that they have secured their Premiership status for another season.
"We thought we were away and sailing a couple of weeks ago but the way we've played in the last couple of weeks means we're right back in it, "Bruce has said.
"There's nine games to play and we've only got 32 points.
"Teams below us have got 24-26 points and are showing a lot of spirit and not just lying down and dying.
"We've got a big challenge ahead of us over the next nine games and we have to be ready for it."