West Bromwich Albion have made a solid, if unspectacular, start to the Premier League season.
Tony Pulis may not be the kind of marquee manager that inspires the fans of the clubs he manages, but there is no question that he has a tremendous record of keeping unfancied teams in the Premier League, and the early signs suggest that, once again, West Bromwich Albion will have enough to keep themselves in the top flight this year.
With that in mind, here is a look at the Baggies’ start to the season along with some of the defining images of Pulis from the club’s first 12 games of the campaign:
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis during the game against Crystal Palace
The season started perfectly for West Brom, and Pulis in particular, as they came away from Crystal Palace with a narrow win on the opening day. Pulis, who had been in charge at Selhurst Park until 2014, would no doubt have enjoyed seeing Salomon Rondon’s winner.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis during the defeat to Everton
Their first defeat of the campaign came in their second game as Everton left the Hawthorns with a 2-1 win. Gareth McAuley had given West Brom the lead.
Tony Pulis manager of West Bromwich Albion before the game against Northampton
The Baggies were stunned in the EFL Cup as they were beaten on penalties by League One side Northampton.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis during the game against Middlesbrough
West Brom fans’ biggest complaint about Pulis tends to be based around the less than exciting brand of football his teams tend to play, and in no game were they given more reason to complain than the dull goalless draw with Middlesbrough in August.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis during the win against West Ham
The Albion clinched just their second win of the season when they beat West Ham at the Hawthorns in mid-September. The home side had gone 4-0 up but were handed a small scare when Slaven Bilic’s men scored twice shortly after the hour-mark.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis against Stoke
An away game against Stoke pitted Pulis against another of his former clubs. And just like against Palace, he avoided defeat as a late Rondon goal earned the Baggies a 1-1 draw.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis and Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match
West Brom will certainly consider their trip to the Stadium of Light as a missed opportunity. Sunderland were without a win in the league at that stage and looked destined for another defeat as the Baggies led 1-0 with less than 10 minutes to go. But Patrick van Aanholt equalised for the Black Cats to leave away fans hugely frustrated.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis before the game
Summer signing Nacer Chadli has been a revelation since joining West Brom and he looked set to lead the side to a narrow victory over his former club Tottenham as he scored an 82nd minute opener. Another late goal however, denied Pulis’ men the win.
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before the match
Their three-game unbeaten run was ended by current table-toppers Liverpool in October. Despite some discontent amongst the club’s supporters, Pulis put pen to paper on a new deal soon after (via Mirror).
And although that announcement was swiftly followed by a comfortable defeat against Manchester City, a victory over champions Leicester saw West Brom go into the international break 11th in the table.
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