Saturday 3 December 2016 23:39, UK
Tony Pulis says West Brom's top six position gives them a platform for January transfers, after beating Watford on Saturday.
The 3-1 victory over Walter Mazzarri's side saw them leapfrog Watford in the Premier League table, as well as Manchester United and Everton ahead of their Super Sunday clash.
While Pulis insisted he is not getting carried away with West Brom's third win in four league games, he has revealed why their new high ranking can benefit them in the near future.
"Come and see me after 38 games," said Pulis, when asked what the top six position means for West Brom. "It gives us a platform going into the window and we're looking to bring one or two players in. That's the thing, the chairman will kill me for saying it but that's what we're trying to do."
Two of West Brom's three goals were courtesy of set pieces, with Jonny Evans giving the home side the lead at The Hawthorns with the club's seventh goal from a corner this season - the highest figure of any Premier League team.
But Pulis admitted it was a surprise tactical shift from his opposite number Mazzarri that provided them with the opportunities.
"They actually went zonal today," said Pulis. "We've watched them four or five times, which we normally do, and they're usually man for man but went zonal today.
"When we go against teams who mark zonally we pull out and make sure we've got a little more room to attack the ball. It was a great ball from (Chris) Brunt and Jonny's been fantastic all game again today and hit a great header.
"That's the one disadvantage of zonal marking, there's other disadvantages of marking man for man, so it's just whatever suits the team and the manager."
Mazzarri voiced his displeasure with a number of refereeing decisions after the game, and hinted Pulis was over-protesting to the fourth official during the fixture.
Roberto Pereyra was sent off in the 84th minute for Watford, sparking a melee involving both sets of players and managers, but Pulis was quick to rubbish any talk of the officials affecting the outcome.
"Don't talk to me about refereeing decisions and what they do and what they don't do," said Pulis. "I think Mike Jones had the best view and he's an experienced Premier League referee."
