West Brom manager Tony Pulis admits sympathy for Premier League bosses
Friday 25 September 2015 16:17, UK
West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has revealed his sympathy for under-pressure managers and believes they should stick together.
The Baggies welcome an in-form Everton to the Hawthorns on Monday night, with the Toffees unbeaten in their last five games in league and cup.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez managed to keep England defender John Stones from joining Chelsea this summer, rejecting three separate bids from the Premier League champions.
Pulis and Albion were able to ensure prized asset Saido Berahino remained at the club beyond the summer transfer window, turning down four bids from Tottenham for the forward.
And Pulis admits he empathised with Martinez's situation and understands what other managers in the Premier League are going through, in all aspects of their job.
"Pressure is on you at times and you have to deal with it and handle it," he said.
"Then other times it's not on you, it's on someone else and you have great sympathy for other people because you know what they're going through and what it's all about it.
"It's a tough old job this one."
Albion took Midlands bragging rights with a 1-0 win over Aston Villa last Saturday, a match which saw them clinch a third straight clean sheet in the league.
Pulis' side have only conceded league goals to Chelsea and Manchester City this season, but were beaten 3-0 in midweek at Norwich in the Capital One Cup third-round.
"We've played six games and have four clean sheets. The basis of what we work on and talk about the lads have been very good at. Against Aston Villa we looked like we would score goals," he added.
"We had looked threatening at times against Manchester City and Chelsea but without being really dominant in creating chances. Against Villa we should have scored more goals."
