Tony Pulis: West Brom need five or six new players
Friday 7 April 2017 23:45, UK
Tony Pulis says West Brom may need to sign half-a-dozen new recruits this summer and described Saturday's opponents Southampton as being "the perfectly run club".
The Baggies are on course to finish eighth in the Premier League table, a position most recently bettered during the 1980/81 season.
But despite enjoying a landmark campaign, Pulis is keen to strengthen his squad during the close season.
He said: "We need at least five or six players to come in and improve the club. That's the aim and it's not just one position, it's all over the pitch.
"We have to keep pushing on and strengthening. We want people to come in and work as hard as the players who have been here are doing and give us a bit more quality.
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"Money is still the main reason why most players move but finishing high up the table helps."
"We need at least five or six players to come in and improve the club. That's the aim and it's not just one position, it's all over the pitch. We have to keep pushing on and strengthening.
"We want people to come in and work as hard as the players who have been here are doing and give us a bit more quality."
Pulis cites Southampton's recruitment policy as being a blueprint for most Premier League clubs.
Money is still the main reason why most players move but finishing high up the table helps.
He added: "The important thing is not just getting good players in, but getting good characters and the right types of player in.
"Southampton are a fantastic model. They bring lots of players through and recruitment has been brilliant - the boy Manolo Gabbiadini looks a smashing signing. He knows where the goal is.
"Southampton are a really good example to everyone on how to run a football club. They are a top-10 team, they have some brilliant players and it will be a tough game for us."
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Pulis is also delighted to have Matt Phillips available again following a hamstring injury.
The 26-year-old moved to The Hawthorns from Queens Park Rangers last summer for a reported fee of £5m.
The Baggies manager said: "He's been a very good signing for us. I'm hoping he will be available to start on Saturday but he is one of the ones we have to have a look at and see if he's right.
"If he is and he's feeling good and everyone is happy with the injury, then he has a great chance of starting the game.
"He's important for us because he gives us that little bit more pace down the sides and the stats show that he's created lots of chances for us - and he also has a good return on his goals as well.
"But I still think there's still a lot more to come from Matty. He's a good kid and good around the place. He's been fantastic for us.
"He's been a big miss for us, but having said that the players who have played and the teams we have put out in the past few weeks have all had a go and done their best, and that is all you can ask of them."
