Pulis pulling no punches
TONY PULIS feels his job is safe even if his chances of ever winning over West Brom’s fans have all but disappeared.
Pulis faced a barrage of criticism on social media and radio on Saturday night after Albion’s winless run stretched to nine Premier League games with defeat at 10-man Huddersfield.
It came after the travelling support had spent much of the second half barracking their manager.
Rajiv van La Parra’s spectacular 25-yard curler, right on half-time, gave Huddersfield a deserved victory that lifted them back into the top half of the table.
Even after defender Christopher Schindler was sent off for two bookable offences with 33 minutes to play, David Wagner’s side looked comfortable until a late West Brom flurry almost brought an equaliser, Jonas Lossl saving well from James McClean and Matt Phillips. Pulis has never been popular because of a style of play that relies on set-pieces. But that relationship has deteriorated.
Chairman John Williams will report back to West Brom’s Chinese owner Lai Guochuan after this latest setback but Pulis said: “John popped in as he always does after the games and the unity in the dressing room is first class.
“I’m not worried about things behind the scenes. My concern is the players. If I see a drop-off with them, that would be a concern.”
It is happy days for Wagner, who needed a win after slumping at Liverpool last week.
Wagner, appointed two years ago yesterday when Town were 19th in the Championship, said: “Even if I say we’re in the Premier League with 15 points, it doesn’t feel real.”