Football
PA Sport 9y

West Brom's Tony Pulis hails Gus Poyet's work at Sunderland

West Brom boss Tony Pulis expects Gus Poyet to send his Sunderland side out firing in Saturday's vital clash against the Baggies.

While West Brom's form has started to pick up since Pulis took charge early in January, the Black Cats have hit a potentially damaging slump.

The Wearsiders have won just one of their last eight league games and are only two points above the relegation zone in 15th place.

The last week has seen the pressure grow on manager Poyet with a disappointing home reverse to QPR followed by a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Bradford.

Some supporters have turned on Poyet and voiced their displeasure at some of the remarks the Uruguayan has made about them. In turn, Poyet has blamed media for misinforming fans and published an open letter urging them to keep faith.

With five wins and just one defeat in eight games in all competitions under Pulis, West Brom appear to be heading in the opposite direction. But the head coach will take nothing for granted at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

"We have watched them on two or three occasions," said Pulis, whose side are two points above Sunderland in the table.

"We watched the QPR game and in the second half they could have scored two or three goals. They had a sloppy first half then Gus looked at that. They really pulled it together and if they had got the breaks the could have easily got a result.

"They are not far short of getting results. I have tremendous respect for Gus and that football club, so we will be prepared for what will be a tough battle."

Pulis would not necessarily be drawn on the issues concerning Poyet and the supporters, but is convinced the former Chelsea midfielder is a strong enough character to turn the situation around.

He said: "Gus has got to do what Gus has got to do. We are all different. What Gus does is up to Gus and you have got to give him the respect he deserves as a tremendous player, while he has coached and managed and done very well.

"He took Sunderland to a cup final last year, so he hasn't done too bad.

"He is straight as a die, whether you talk to him on the pitch or off it. He is a good football man, he knows the game. I have enjoyed his company when I have been with him.

"It is a wonderful area -- the northeast is a very passionate area for the clubs.

"The expectations are high up there and you have to live with that. Gus has been up there 18 months, two years, he will understand that now."

West Brom, who reached the FA Cup quarterfinals last weekend and will next face rivals Aston Villa in an eagerly-anticipated tie, will be looking to maintain their momentum.

Pulis, who successfully steered Crystal Palace away from the drop last year, is certainly not ready to ease up.

He said: "They are a good group and I think it has shown in the results. They have shown they are prepared to work but we still need to do more.

"We certainly need to step it up again to make sure we get the points we need to stay in the Premier League.

"Everything is confidence. The team will do that by getting results. If the team are getting results continuously the confidence grows within the group and they believe in what you are trying to do. It spirals through there then."

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