Baggies captain Fletcher throws support behind Pulis

The news of Tony Pulis’ one-year contract extension has split West Bromwich Albion fans down the middle but skipper Darren Fletcher is firmly on his manager’s side.

The Welshman’s contract was due to expire at the end of the season and questions over his future intensified when a Chinese investment group bought the club last month.

His style of football, which can be described as favouring solidity rather than adventure, has drawn criticism from some sections of the Baggies support.

 (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Fletcher is well aware that West Brom are still far off the ideal but believes that their journey has only just started under Pulis.

“It’s important for the whole club, the manager is probably the most important part for that continuity and for us to know that he’s here for another year is great,” said the former Manchester United midfielder

“We would hate to go into the second half of the season not knowing what was happening with the manager’s contract and who is going to be manager for the start of next season as well as signing players in January – all of these things.

“Players want to come to a club who knows the manager is going to be there and the manager wants them, so it’s the consistency and building on the great work he has done.

“He keeps telling us we’re a long way from where he wants to be but he sees the progression and we’re certainly getting there.”