ANYONE BUT PULIS
Albion fans call for a change at the top
TONY PULIS has been told some West Brom fans would be “overjoyed” if he left the club this summer.
The manager’s future is in doubt with just 12 months left on his £2million-a-year contract. His plans for next term have been dented by skipper Darren Fletcher (below) walking out this week to join Premier League rivals Stoke on a free. Now Pulis is believed to be open to a lucrative long-term offer from elsewhere, after plans to give him a new deal at The Hawthorns were put on ice. Neil Reynolds, chairman of Shareholders for Albion (S4A), met with members of the club’s hierarchy last week and says many supporters are unhappy with pragmatic Pulis’ tactics. West Brom finished 10th, despite winning just one of their last 12 matches, and scoring only 43 Premier League goals. Reynolds, who represents the club’s 432 minor shareholders, told Mirror Sport: “If you want to stay up, then you will like Tony Pulis.
“If your expectations are more than that, it is very questionable whether he is the right man.
“I just don’t like the style of football. Other people are prepared to put up with it but I and a growing number of others are not. There are many fans who would be overjoyed if he left today, and that is without knowing they have X or Y to come in. They would just prefer anybody instead of Pulis.
“If he did go, I’d expect there would be a surge in season-ticket sales. Generally, those aged 30 or below are more than prepared to accept what is being served up as long as the results keep coming.
“The older fans believe there is a tradition at Albion and we are not happy with the lack of entertainment and the negativity. “Even in many home games, the aim seems to be to go for a goalless draw and, if we sneak a win, then fine. “I don’t think Pulis will ever win over those fans unless he changes his style. “If the club backs him to the extent we think they will, that gives him the opportunity to sign more adventurous players and play a more adventurous style. “But if he has X-million pounds to spend, and buys no players with flair, it will prove a point.” Pulis has faced persistent sniping at Albion despite keeping them up after joining in January 2015. Reynolds added: “My understanding is he won’t walk but, if somebody made an attractive offer, he’d go.”