The West Brom board’s decision to sack Alan Irvine after a run of three straight defeats is difficult to argue with.

With the Baggies sat in 16th place, just one point above the drop zone, following a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City, the situation at the Hawthorns had become critical and time was running out to act. The fact that Tony Pulis was looking for work made the decision to remove Irvine a real no-brainer.

Manager of the Season
Pulis’ stint as Crystal Palace manager ended acrimoniously just before the Eagles kicked off their 2014-15 campaign. After guiding Palace to 11th place last year and picking up the Premier League manager of the season award, it was only a matter of time before he was back managing in the top flight.

Under Pulis, Palace went from relegation favourites to mid-table safety in the space of just six months, recording famous wins over Chelsea, Everton and West Ham United in the process. Having agreed to take over at the Hawthorns, you can follow the odds of Pulis repeating the feat with West Brom and keep track of other betting news at bluesq.com.

When he took over at Palace, Pulis looked to implement an attractive brand of football, playing their way out of trouble and making Selhurst Park a difficult place to come. He will be looking to repeat the trick at West Brom but will first need to stabilise the Baggies’ defence. Having conceded 29 goals already this season, West Brom have struggled to make the most of any attacking supremacy that they have enjoyed.

With the likes of Saido Berahino impressing up front, Pulis has the attacking weapons needed to win games but he must ensure that his defence is stable enough to hold on to a lead. The recent 3-2 capitulation at QPR is a classic example of the kind of performance that Pulis must act to prevent.

Signing of the Season
There are few Premier League managers with Pulis’ survival credentials. If anyone can turn West Brom’s season around then he is the man. With the January transfer window now open, it is possible that the Baggies’ appointment of Pulis could be the best signing that any club makes this season.