Route one from relegation

Terry Wills writes about Albion’s week.

Instant relief! Tony Pulis’s first win against a struggling Hull City, boosted hopes that in due course we can stop relying on the rest of the relegation-threatened clubs results to ease the pressure. And bearing in mind there are around nine or ten in a similar situation it looks like being a long arduous venture.

Media sources appear convinced that Tony Pulis has more or less lifted that pressure, but chatting to fans I know that despite his reputation for saving clubs from the drop, they aren’t of the same opinion. He has a very difficult job ahead but at least he’s made a winning start thanks to the solitary goal scored by who else but Saido Berahino.

The only goalscorer we have must NOT be sold, and bearing in mind Pulis’ claims that unless a ridiculous bid is made he will be staying, that gives positive vibes. Indeed he has apparently drawn up his own list of potential transfer targets and without question there will be new faces arriving and current ones departing.

Off the field there’s been more drama. Paul Jewell in, Paul Jewell out after just seven days. In his place welcome to Gerry Francis; may your stay be a long and most importantly, a successful one.

With the next game being a televised away fixture on Monday at Everton – just one point ahead of the Baggies – it leaves me realising how important it would be returning home without defeat. There are More crunch games for Burnley versus Palace, QPR against Manchester United, Villa at home to Liverpool , Sunderland away at Spurs and Leicester entertaining Stoke. Some of them will drop points and providing Albion can take advantage by not losing it would be another slow step nearer securing Greed League survival.

Albion’s prospects? A draw would be acceptable, a win would be wow and a defeat will be a chance clearly missed.
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