I was always anti-Pulis because of the way Stoke played, and because I believe that Albion are a club with a footballing tradition. However....I have seen very little 'hoofball' since he has been at West Brom. And maybe..he has changed his football philosophy a bit, and why shouldn't people learn and develop their original ideas. Today against West Ham, was an excellent all round performance, that was every bit as entertaining as anything I have seen over the last few years.
Of course, you can only play to the strengths of the players at your disposal, something I have heard TP say. (Pity by the way that it is usually used as an excuse to play unattractive football). However, on this occasion maybe our players were taught good technical skills, and it just needed someone like TP to add greater discipline and organisation. When you look at the starting XI against West Ham, none of these were actually Pulis signings. So like alot of pundits used to say, we have a good set of players. But clearly there was some ingredient lacking under Irvine, that TP has brought in.
I must say I am also pleasantly surprised by the players TP has brought in as both Fletcher and McMannaman are skilful creative players.
Therefore, the TP we have is not the one I thought we would get and I hope we get more of the same.
