Survival still the only aim for Pulis
TONY PULIS will train his sights on surpassingWest Brom’s record Premier League total this season – but only after they have reached the 40-point mark.
The Baggies have accrued seven points from their past three League games and hope to extend their unbeaten home streak in the calendar year as Manchester United visit today.
A victory over Louis van Gaal’s side would take them to 39 points, one shy of the haul thought to guarantee safety in most campaigns, with nine more games then remaining before the season is over.
That would give Pulis’ men ample time to better the 49 points Steve Clarke’s side returned in the 2012-13 season – though such a total will remain at the back of the current manager’s mind while survival itself still needs to be achieved.
Pulis said: “My aim always is to get to 40 points. If we can get to 40 points in the next couple of games, then we’ll be pushing on to see if we can get more points than the club has achieved before.
“To look above the most important target, the one that you set at the beginning of the season, I don’t think is right. Let’s get there first and assess it, and, if we can get to 40 points with quite a few games left, let’s see if we can get that record total.’’
West Brom’s recent good form means Pulis can afford to entertain the possibility of a record-breaking season, even if he has seen his style of play questioned in some quarters during difficult spells.
United manager van Gaal, whose own team have hit a purple patch of late, can relate to such criticism himself and Pulis accepts that all comes with the territory.
He said: “I think you’re going to get criticism whichever way you cook it.
“It’s style of football, not scoring goals, conceding goals – if you’re not winning enough games then people are going to find a way for why you’re not doing it and criticise that reason.
“You have to accept that. You’ll get no complaints from me.’’
Pulis’ squad today will not include former United defender Jonny Evans, who is injured along with Chris Brunt, Callum McManaman and James Morrison.
There will be a role, though, for Darren Fletcher. The Scot made 342 appearances after joining the Reds as a trainee in 2000 but moved on last February after failing to become a regular under van Gaal.