Pulis after more West Brom firepower

Tony Pulis admits he is grateful for the competitive streak among his defenders when it comes to scoring goals – something West Brom have struggled with of late.

The Baggies boss revealed that defenders Gareth McAuley, Craig Dawson and Jonny Evans are having their own mini golden boot competition between them this season.

And as things stand there is going to be a clear winner with McAuley sat on seven goals in all competitions, with Dawson on three and Evans with just the one.

Those seven goals actually make centre-back McAuley West Brom’s joint top-scorer alongside Salomon Rondon, the striker having failed to find the net in 2017.

In fact, no-one in a West Brom shirt has scored in their last three games and Pulis is eager to find more firepower.

“I think they [defenders] are competitive between themselves,” said Pulis. “I think Evans is behind at the moment and is eager to catch those two up.

“The three of them are more competitive with themselves than anything else.

“We’ve needed them. If you have a look at the goals, they have been shared round the team.

“One of the big objectives next season is to get more fire power to the football club if we can.”