Monday 19 January 2015 12:43, UK
Tony Pulis says he will take one game at a time in his pursuit of securing West Brom’s Premier League status.
The Baggies travel to Everton on Monday Night Football just two points outside of the bottom three, despite last week’s 1-0 victory at home to Hull City.
Pulis has previously guided Stoke City and, more recently, Crystal Palace to top-flight survival against the odds, but the Baggies head coach isn’t getting carried away about repeating the feat at the Hawthorns.
“How far have I looked ahead? Monday night, and that’s me,” Pulis said. “The next game is the most important, what goes on after that I’m not concentrating on at all.
“We need to forget all of this, ‘you’ve got a hard run of games, so you’ve got to do this or you’ve got to do that’.
“If we're all perfect punters none of us would be sat here now, we’d be in the Bahamas or wherever drinking a nice glass of champagne.”
Tough finish
West Brom have an ominous-looking end to the season, with trips to the Emirates and Old Trafford as well as home games with Chelsea and Liverpool all featuring in their final five matches.
Just six points currently separate the Premier League’s bottom nine, with Pulis expecting plenty more twists and turns in the relegation scrap before the end of the season.
“If we have to wait until the last five games to get results or if we have to get results in the last five games, then by hook or by crook we’ll have to do it. That’s always been my attitude.
“Sunderland were written off (last season) and they had the hardest run-in. Who’d have thought they’d have gone places and got a result? But they managed it.
Everton have slipped to 12th in the Premier League table after winning just one of their last nine league games, but the Baggies boss doesn’t expect their opponents to be thrown into the relegation battle.
“I think it’s a wonderful club and they’ve got a tremendous group of players,” Pulis added.
“Roberto (Martinez) has had a bit of a tough time this year, in respect of results, but they’ve got too many good players to be looking down.
“When the end of the season comes, they’ll be finishing in the top ten.”
Watch Everton v West Brom on Monday Night Football, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
