Head coach discusses transfer window
TONY Pulis admits Albion have met with frustration in their efforts to further strengthen the first-team squad during the January transfer window.
The Baggies have added Jake Livermore but, with the curtain set to close at 11pm on Tuesday, Albion’s head coach hinted strongly that loan deals would be the club’s only route to signings.
Speaking in the build-up to the next Premier League challenge at Middlesbrough on the same evening, Pulis openly dealt with the transfer speculation swirling around the Club.
He dismissed reports of moves for Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic and Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and confirmed that any deals before the deadline would likely be loan agreements.
But Pulis emphasised that his transfer frustration had not been for the want of trying.
“We’re moving forwards but I think everyone understands that this is going to take time and what we have to do is make sure we add the right players to this group,” he said.
“I think we have done that with Jake (Livermore). He’s a terrific player but also a great lad who has already fitted in well with the lads.
“We’re desperate to bring players in. The Chairman is, the owners are and the budget is there. We have tried to add players who have gone to clubs who might be considered more established.
“We have a budget we must work to and, as I say, most of all must make sure any new players fit in to how we do things and are going to improve us.”
He added that the flip side of the dilemma opened the door to the crop of young players he accepts are in urgent need of match experience – Sam Field, Jonathan Leko, Kane Wilson and the latest addition from the Academy to the first-team squad Rekeem Harper.
“What we will try to do now is give these lads the opportunities they need to develop as players,” added Pulis.