Sunday 15 May 2016 20:20, UK
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis once again bemoaned his side's glut of missed chances after they drew 1-1 with Liverpool at the Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon.
The Baggies, who opened the scoring through Salomon Rondon's 13th-minute strike, before Jordan Ibe levelled for the visitors with a brilliant solo goal 10 minutes later, ended the campaign in 14th in the Premier League (although they will slip down a position if Bournemouth beat Manchester United in their rearranged final-season match).
However, Pulis was disappointed his players did not beat a second-string Liverpool - the visitors made 11 changes from their midweek draw with Chelsea with Wednesday's Europa League final with Sevilla in mind - given the openings they created, especially in the second half.
As a result, West Brom ended the season failing to win any of their last nine league contests.
"It has been the story for the last eight or nine games where apart from the Arsenal game, where we were not very good, I think all the other games we have really played well and created chances," Pulis said.
"We have had the opportunities again today and it is such thin lines between winning and losing in this league. If Salomon's [Rondon] header goes in, then we go on and win the game I think.
"But it just has not gone for us and that is the way it has been. Obviously we are delighted to still be in the Premiership, but maybe a bit disappointed that we did not pick up as many points as we could have.
"We could have been further up the league if…. It is ifs, buts and maybes and like I say, it is thin lines. You need the breaks at times, but I cannot fault the players and in the second half - I thought Liverpool dominated for a long time in the finishing period of the first half - I thought we came out and created a lot of opportunities and chances."
Looking ahead to next season, though, Pulis admitted he and his backroom staff now have plenty of work to do over the summer months, especially when it comes to player recruitment, but was adamant the club are in safe hands under the steadying hands of chairman Jeremy Peace.
"There is a lot of work to be done and we know that," Pulis said. "Obviously there are players out of contract now and that will give us a little bit more room to manoeuvre.
"The club is run fantastically well by Jeremy and the financial situation will never change while he is here. It has to be run the right way and they own everything here, not a penny's debt.
"And he has kept the club in the Premiership and we have done it again this year. So it will always be done with one eye on the finances and making sure this club is solvent and progressive."
As for his own much-publicised contract situation, Pulis - who will have just 12 months left to run on his current deal come the end of June - was relaxed.
"No one has forced me to sign the contract, I know the score and one thing with him is he is a stubborn so and so at times, but you know where you stand," he said.
"Let me have a couple of weeks to reflect on what we have done and achieved. As I said before the game, I think we are the only west Midlands club in 138 years in the Premiership [next season].
"So the flag will be flying proud next year and we have got to make sure we maintain and build on that and build on this success hopefully."
