Pulis: We have to bring players in to challenge
Tony Pu li sb eli eves Middlesbrough must strengthen their squad before Thursday’ s transfer deadline after watching his side come from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at Millwall.
George Friend struck in the seventh minute of time added on to earn a draw at The Den for Middlesbrough, but Pulis says his squad are not strong enough to get promoted.
Middlesbrough were beaten in the play- off semi-finals by Aston Villa last season and a re among the favourites to challenge this season.
But, having lost a number of key players this summer, Pulis says the club must buy in order to compete.
He said: “We have to put things in perspective. If you look at the team we had today compared to the team that ended last season, we’re six players down. Ben Gibson, Adama Traore, Roberto Ayala, Patrick Bamford, Muhamed Besic – they’re all top players.
“We know we have to bring players in. That group is not good enough to get us promoted. It’s a smashing group, but it’s not good enough to get us promoted.”
Aitor Karanka’s furious half-time team talk inspired Nottingham Forest’ s second half comeback to earn a 1- 1 draw against Bristol City.
The visiting boss was angry over the way his team approached the game at the start and could not wait for the break to put his views across.
He said: “There was nothing to put right tactically at half time.
“Ever ything came down to attitude and Bristol City had more desire of the ball, while we were looking at it.
“I ca n understand what happened now, although I didn’t at the time.
“We had almost a perfect pre- season with no injuries and suddenly the season in a very tough league started with my players not knowing how difficult it would be.
“The way we went onto the pitch at the start was very different to the way Bristol went onto it.
“In the second half the opposite applied and in the end it was a fair score.
“We showed that when we have the right attitude we are a very good team with a lot of quality players to do good things.
“I can’t tell you exactly what I said at half- time, but it was the medicine the players needed.
“We had been fragile defensively and didn’t create anything going forward.
“I was more than pretty angry, I was very angry. The second half was so much better and I hope we realise now that the league has started.”
City head coach Lee Johnson said: “All in all it was a decent start for us.”