Friday 12 August 2016 11:51, UK
West Brom manager Tony Pulis believes the club will have to move quickly to strengthen their squad.
Albion begin their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they travel to play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The only recruit in the current transfer window has been Matt Phillips, who arrived from Queens Park Rangers for £5.5m.
The club has recently been purchased by a Chinese investment company headed by businessman Guochuan Lai, who bought the club from Jeremy Peace earlier this month.
And Pulis fears West Brom may struggle to get in enough players before the transfer deadline at the end of August.
Pulis said: "The last 22 months at the club has been difficult because of the situation. It's not been hidden that Jeremy wanted to sell the club. If there's a disappointment then it's been that it has come so late. We've only got two weeks to try and get players in which we desperately need.
"I spoke to Mr Li when he came over. Obviously he's very enthusiastic about taking the club over. We certainly need to do some business.
"We've got players in mind. We're hoping we can get them. The back end of last season we've lost four senior players and brought one in. So, we are well behind the game in that respect. We need to get on the front foot."
While Pulis concedes his job has not been easy as a result of Peace looking to sell the club, he is optimistic Albion can start to move forward with the new owners in place.
Pulis reckons it is imperative to sign five players, but has no intention of leaving his position if Albion miss out on their targets.
"The club has been stagnant for a while. With new owners you hope and pray there'll be the backing that pushes the club on," Pulis said.
"It's been difficult for all sorts of reasons behind the scenes. It's been as difficult a club to manage as I've had. It's important we focus. It's a great club, with great supporters - a traditional club. We have to try and get moving.
"As a manager you're going to take flack whether you're doing a good or bad job. People don't know half of it and they should know half of it as well. I'm in a privileged position. People have the right to criticise and they do at every club. You have to accept that.
"Irrespective of me, I'm more concerned with getting some players in quickly. That's the most important thing for the club. We've done hardly any business at all. I think personally we need five players in and that will be a tough task.
"It's not a case of walking out. My aim is to get five players in that will make a difference. I think players are also sitting they're waiting for new players to come in. They are the most important people at the club and they have been waiting to see new faces.
"What if he sacks me? I don't know what the situation is going to be. It remains to be seen. I've got a job to do and a year left and I'm determined to bring these players in. I wouldn't walk, no."
