January Sales Part 1: West Brom's New Boss

Get ready for a month or panic buying worse that the pre Christmas rush.  The Transfer window is open and one day in we already have a story to discuss.

Tony Pulis is back

West Bromwich Albion have announced former Crystal Palace and Stoke City Premier League manager Tony Pulis has taken over at the Hawthorns.

WBA are in a relegation battle and after making the decision to relieve Alan Irvine of his job the club needed to bring in a manager with a proven ability to escape the drop.  There was talk of a choice between Pulis and Tim Sherwood and in my opinion the club have picked the correct option to suit their current circumstances.

Pulis will make an impact with the defensive shape of the WBA side and I suspect bring a little more steel to their performance.  His side's may not play pass and move but they will be a much tougher outfit without possession and in a dogfight that is what you need.

HIs opening game is a home tie against Hull who themselves are in the relegation battle.  After week 20 results there is just a point between the two sides.

Considering Pulis reputation for improving defences and boy do WBA need that, there must be some interest in the back four he selects.  Joleon Lescott seems the only certain starter but expensive at 11.20m.  If Chris Baird can once again reclaim a full back position or even the defensive midfield position, he becomes tempting at 4.53m when remembering his fantasy returns at Fulham.  Certainly Ben Foster becomes a good bench option to monitor at under 4m.

Further forward Stephen Sessegnon seems to me to be a player at his best with an arm around the shoulder.  His pace and direct play may make him Pulis starter and a good pick at 9m.  Graham Dorrans 5.93m can always come up with a double digit game and of course you would expect to see a return to form of front man Saido Berahino, assuming of course they can keep him out of LIverpool's clutches until at least the summer.

Pulis will be bring improvement as the second half of the season grows and there is a one or two talented players already there before the transfers start.  Talking of which talk this morning was of a big for Stoke City's Peter Crouch.  Stoke had supposedly given them a quick answer to the negative but it shows WBA intentions in the next few weeks if true.

Overall then this looks a common sense appointment for a club in WBA position.

Do you agree?  Poll below.

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