Match Reaction
Three things we learned from Stoke City’s draw with West Brom
West Brom continue to epitomise Pulis’ defensive discipline in landmark game
This showdown in the Potteries against his former club was Tony Pulis’ 1000th game in management, and his West Bromwich Albion team displayed an array of the qualities that the Welshman has drilled into his teams during his 24 years as a manager. Discipline at the back, doggedness and being difficult to break down, tenacity in midfield and the willingness to fight for every ball and take whatever few chances fall your way are the underlying qualities of a typical Tony Pulis team down the years, and those traits were on exhibit again to yield a good point for the manager and the club.
It was Pulis’ 301st career draw as a manager, but he will take the point in the circumstances after Peter Crouch’s introduction to the fray looked to have landed a blow to Albion’s resolute defence, with Jonny Evans’ error presenting Joe Allen with his goal.
The way the Baggies dug in even at a goal down and then pressed Stoke for the last 20 minutes to get the goal back will have been pleasing for Pulis however, and it shows another dimension to what his team can produce, even without Saido Berahino who was absent through illness.
Salomon Rondon stepped up to the plate once again away from home though. Five of Albion’s last eight goals away from the Hawthorns have been netted by the Venezuelan, and his third goal of the season sees the Baggies sitting in the comfort of ninth position going into game 1,001 for 58-year-old Tony Pulis, who has now gone five games unbeaten against the Potters.
Featured Image: All Rights Reserved by Craig Ballantyne.
