After Watford result is Pulis style wearing thin on West Brom fans?

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West Brom drew against Watford at the weekend – is Tony Pulis’ management wearing thin on fans?

Watford player Richarlison (4th r) rises to head the second Watford goal during the Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.

West Bromwich Albion were denied all three points in their Premier League clash with Watford when Richarlison scored a 95th-minute equaliser.

It is now five league matches without a win for the Baggies, who have also drawn at home to Stoke City and West Ham United and lost away at Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal during that time.

West Bromwich Albion fans at The Hawthorns.

Yet they are tenth in the table currently – but that is not the problem. The problem is how they set up under manager Tony Pulis and how they have done since he took charge at the Hawthorns in January 2015.

Pulis in the English top tier has one objective and that is not to get relegated. This was highlighted last season when it was pointed out that during nine campaigns in the division with Stoke, Crystal Palace and now West Brom, once his teams reach the 40-point mark they switch off, winning just seven of the 46 matches after that target and picking up 36 points.

Pulis defenders would point to the fact that his mission to avoid relegation is a successful one having never suffered the drop from the top flight and finishes of 13th, 14th and tenth under the Welshman is about what is expected from the West Midlands team.

Tony Pulis, manager of West Bromwich Albion, gestures during the Premier League match against Watford.

Unfortunately this negative approach is starting to wear a little thin. Pulis appears to set up not to lose rather than to actively win, filling the back line with big defenders and grinding out results.

Leicester City winning the title in 2015/16 was an anomaly, but even this term the likes of the Hornets and even Burnley have shown ambition to do more than simply survive. It may be considered risky to take this approach, but for supporters at least there is something to get excited about.