Pullulating for... Pulis

THERE are many football viewers so desperate to see some decent competitive football after this latest irksome international break they are even contemplating watching a – dare I say it – a Tony Pulis team. There, I said it. To be fair to the baseball-capped one (right), Boro’s confrontation away to the Owls on Friday night promises to be a lively televised affair, with both sides battling it out in the promotion mix.

But before all that, we have to endure Southgate’s cubs being put to the slaughter by the Spaniards tomorrow evening. They took apart Ryan Giggs’ Bale-less Wales 4-1 at the Principality Stadium last week and it could be just as bad when they’re on Iberian soil.

And at least there’ll be a few more fans than in Rijeka – and, hopefully, more goals.

And then a throwback to the days of the Home International Tournament (ask your dad... hmm, make that your grandad) when the Republic of Ireland take on Wales. Mr Pulis’ Friday fare will set us up for the real treat, though – the Saturday lunchtime game when Jose returns to Stamford Bridge with his seething band of Red Devils. No doubt, it’ll be a case of who’s Sarri now?