Friday 26 August 2016 15:48, UK
Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka admits he cannot understand the criticism West Brom counterpart Tony Pulis attracts given his track record.
The two men will go head-to-head in the Premier League on Sunday in front of the Sky Sports cameras at the Hawthorns with Boro hoping to emulate what the Baggies have done in recent seasons and establish themselves as a fixture in the top flight.
Pulis had his detractors during his long spell in charge at Stoke, and found himself in the firing line once again during the second half of last season with his side struggling for results.
However, Karanka holds him in the highest regard saying: "You look at his numbers. Since the first day I met him, he has shown me he is a gentleman and his job is there.
"He has never been relegated in I don't know how many games in the Premier League, so for that reason, he has all my respect and I wish him all the best - after the game on Sunday."
Boro face their third away fixture in eight days this weekend after last Sunday's derby victory at Sunderland was followed by a disappointing EFL Cup exit at Fulham, a result which Karanka hopes will help to focus minds once again.
He said: "If we had won easily against Fulham, I could think we would have arrived to play West Brom maybe thinking that we are better than we are.
"But after the game on Wednesday, I am completely sure that the team knows that we need to win again. We have to move on."
