Albion face PSV next in FOX Sports Cup on Saturday
TONY Pulis hailed a good fitness test for his Albion side as they triumphed 2-1 over Vitesse Arnhem on Thursday night.
A total of 21 players featured against the FOX Sports Cup hosts at the GelreDome, with head coach Pulis rotating almost his entire starting XI around half-time in order for everyone in his ranks to get at least 45 minutes.
Goals from Salomon Rondon and Callum McManaman secured the pre-season victory, with Albion facing Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven next up on Saturday (ko 6pm/5pm UK).
Pulis on victory over Vitesse...
“They’re a week ahead of us in terms of preparation as their season starts the same weekend as the Championship, so it was a good fitness test for us.
“It was like a sparring match and the proper football starts against Palace in a couple of weeks. That’s when the players have to be ready.
“It was a great finish by Salomon and, in fact, there were two great goals. Callum scored a good goal second half as well.
“The conditions were humid so the lads have had to really work hard, they worked hard this morning as well.
“To actually get 45 minutes out of them again was first class."
Pulis on fitness over results...
“Pre-season is pre-season, I’ve had pre-seasons where we haven’t won a game and we’ve ended up getting promoted and others where we’ve played really, really well and started the season poorly.
“It’s for a purpose and the purpose is to get fit."