[Zinman]

Slick,
I note that you haven't answered my questions. I will repeat that I'm very happy with our home performances under Pulis but frankly I wouldn't pay anything to watch us away........and this is from someone who's traveled from Torquay to Hartlepool to support Albion.

[Slick_Footwork]

Slick,
I note that you haven't answered my questions. I will repeat that I'm very happy with our home performances under Pulis but frankly I wouldn't pay anything to watch us away........and this is from someone who's traveled from Torquay to Hartlepool to support Albion.

To be honest, I can't remember the exact games he played at left back to
answer your question. Although I've watched every game this season, I
don't have the memory to remember every line up.

I agree our away performances at Sunderland and Everton in particular
were quite dull, but we've come away with 2 draws. We're in a dog fight
and Pulis has to do what he has to do to keep us up. Could we have
gone there and attacked and beat them? Who knows... But both these
sides outplayed us on our own patch this season under the previous
regime. In fact, Everton wiped the floor with us.

Our only loss away in the league under Pulis was at Villa and to tell the
truth, that wasn't because they were the better side, it was simply because
of Foster's rush of blood.

I can't see how we can be critical of his away style when we haven't been
getting beat. Maybe next season when we're established he will be a bit
more expansive.

Do you not find it feasible that the dross he's inherited isn't actually good
enough to attack teams on their own patch?

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Slick,
I note that you haven't answered my questions. I will repeat that I'm very happy with our home performances under Pulis but frankly I wouldn't pay anything to watch us away........and this is from someone  who's traveled from Torquay to Hartlepool to support Albion.

Our only loss away in the league under Pulis was at Villa and to tell the
truth, that wasn't because they were the better side, it was simply because
of Foster's rush of blood.

Villa were better than us across 90 minutes in the league match.  Should have been out of sight by half-time on the chances they created, but their confidence was low so we got a huge let-off. The point we had in our grasp before Foster's error would have been welcome, but not especially well-earned on the balance of play.

[BaggyBomber]

Can't understand the hate for TP on this thread, infact its a joke. He has all but guaranteed survival in less than 3 months after we looked doomed to relegation under clueless Irvine, also I don't get where this idea of him signing centre backs in every position and only signing giants comes from - McManaman is 5'9" and Fletcher is 6'0". Yes the away performances have been pretty boring but at home we have been excellent.

Would people rather we had Irvine back, got relegated and spent years in the championship missing out on the TV money and the chance to grow our club? Because that is what would have happened.

Can't see you receiving an answer, '96.  As you say, what's all the hate about?  TP's done nothing but benefit our Club so far.

[Slick_Footwork]

Slick,
I note that you haven't answered my questions. I will repeat that I'm very happy with our home performances under Pulis but frankly I wouldn't pay anything to watch us away........and this is from someone  who's traveled from Torquay to Hartlepool to support Albion.

Our only loss away in the league under Pulis was at Villa and to tell the
truth, that wasn't because they were the better side, it was simply because
of Foster's rush of blood.

Villa were better than us across 90 minutes in the league match.  Should have been out of sight by half-time on the chances they created, but their confidence was low so we got a huge let-off. The point we had in our grasp before Foster's error would have been welcome, but not especially well-earned on the balance of play.

Personally I thought they were better first half but we were the better side in the 2nd half.

After the equaliser, we were the team in the ascendancy. Dawson was guilty of missing
a routine header while Mozza decided to pass when put clean through on goal. Villa didn't
create anything in the 2nd half and tbh, I think they'd run out of ideas when Foster had his
moment of madness.

This game kind've sums up the quality that TP has inherited anyway and why we're probably
not good enough to play expansive away from home. We failed to deal with Villa's basic tactic
of hoofball to Benteke, while Mozza, Brunt and Gardner, on the day, were awful.

We had to play with 2 strikers who looked half fit, because we're desperately short in that position.

I think this lack of depth and quality is the exact reason why we can't go and try to play sides
off the park away from home. I actually thought Fletcher was our stand out player on the day,
and he was a TP signing.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

We edged it in the second half, but Villa had far better chances than us which they came closer to taking (luck let them down to a large extent). I do think they deserved that first win overall.

I've been arguing since autumn that our squad isn't really fit for purpose (again), so I don't have any real objection to grinding out points the way we have been. I do wish there was a little more counter-attacking intent on the road, but I guess a lack of fit strikers is the major spanner in the works on that score.

[BaggieMan]

Seems to me that with some people on this forum that unless you follow the 'party' line like sheep you get slated for voicing your own opinion. Any slight hint of criticism of Pulis is met with howls of protest as if he is the untouchable Messiah.

As I have said before, I live in North Staffs surrounded by Stokies many of whom are good friends and I well remember how disillusioned they were with TP whom they called 'Moaney Clueless' and how boring and negative his football was at home let alone away. It went on season after season to the extent one of my pals did not renew his season ticket it was so boringly bad to watch.

That is what I fear will happen with my club who have always held a proud reputation for playing cultured flowing football and that we will degenerate to becoming the Stoke City of the decade, but of course, I can't say that without being criticised.

Hypocrisy creeps in along with short memories; how we all hated Pulis and Stoke at the time; how we all said we wouldn't watch such dross; how the Stoke team was full of thugs. The other hypocritical thing is how, at the beginning of this season everyone was so excited and we had 'the best squad for years'  only to now say TP has only dross to work with but remember, much of that 'dross' hasn't been given a fair chance.

Of course I don't want to see us relegated and am grateful to TP for instilling some bite albeit only at home, but from a 'watch-ability' view, I do fear for our long term future. 

Time will tell.

[DanTheSmethwickMan]

He's done a cracking job so far in terms of results, not performances. I do agree though that us as baggies used to despise Stoke and the way they played and often said how glad we were that we didnt have Pulis in charge and how we would never want that style of play brought up here. So I think some of us are being a bit two faced. But who am I to judge cause no doubt I'll get slated for saying this by some.

[Stairs]

I get it. If TP were to introduce a template version of Stoke here at West Brom, I'd be unhappy.

But he has not done so yet. He has preserved our Premiership status, we have scored goals, played exceptionally well v West Ham and have had a great cup run, even if it ended disastrously v Villa.

So far, for me, he has been immense and very welcome. For Christ sake, we would have been dead and buried if AI were still here!

Far enough, he is not the Messiah and history (meaning in the past) shows he has had a defensive approach. IF, in the summer we buy lots of lanky freaks and Neanderthal defenders I will get worried. But it has not happened yet. Let's see what happens and for now rejoice in the fact we have someone in charge who has transformed our season, got results and has given us the chance to reload and go again next season.

[Squirrel Regis]

Baggieman,
I work with some Stokies who have nothing but praise for TP.
They recognise the great job he (and Coates) did in getting a shit team into the prem and keeping them there.
Perhaps you should remind them where they would be without him ?
Just like Lord Megson, football wasn't great but he saved our club and I will always be thankful and never under estimate the fantastic job he did.

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Stairs,
Spot on agree totally

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Also,
Is Darren Fletcher the kind of 6ft 3 thug that several suggest we will be bringing to the club?
I hope so......