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Tony Pulis' uncompromising style starts to wear thin at West Brom

West Bromwich Albion fans knew what they were getting when Tony Pulis was appointed head coach, replacing Alan Irvine on New Year's Day 2015. He was seen as someone who could make their team tough to beat and a man who had never suffered relegation in his career.

But it also meant the soporific, safety-first brand of football the Welshman adopts when he does not believe he has the players to be more expansive. "Pulisball" some supporters call it, a style of play to endured rather than enjoyed.

After a botched last-day transfer window trolley dash in which the club failed to land the number of recruits Pulis desired, more of the same lumpen fare that the Baggies served up in their 0-0 home draw with Middlesbrough on Aug.