On the pitch i think Brunt still has something to offer.
He played well last night and as Jacko says he is comfortable on the ball and a good footballer, personally i would have him in every squad and if Gibbs in injured find a way of playing Townsend and Brunt on the left, switching between them as a left back / left midfield, they should balance each other well.
If we play a 4-3-3 then again having Brunt as an option there is a good thing., What we shouldnt be doing is playing him centre midfield unless desperate or trying to build a team round him going forward.
I am not sure what to make of the off the pitch stuff, Brunt always seems to be the one saying stuff but as Jacko again said, as club captain he is the mouthpiece for that sort of thing. Only those in the dressing room know if he is one of those who seems to rule the roost around the club or not, and if so whether its done with best intentions or because he is comfortable.
I would like to think its only positive things because i dont think we will see a player staying at the Albion for over 10 years like Brunty has for a long long time. (and Morrison to a certain extent though he has been injured a lot the last few years)