Five talking points from Huddersfield Town 1 West Brom 0

SUPPORTERS HAVE LOST PATIENCE

It seems remarkable we have reached this point just 11 games into the season after Tony Pulis guided the club to a top-half finish. But the grievances have been bubbling under the surface for some time.

The foundation of Saturday’s toxic atmosphere in the away end were laid two seasons ago during a stultifying campaign that ended in safety, but nothing more. Last season was great, but it papered over the cracks of a rocky relationship that has always been borne out of necessity rather than love.

BUT TONY PULIS REMAINS RESOLUTE

You don’t reach 25 years in management without trusting your methods, and Pulis’s conviction in what he is doing remains unwavering. After all, it is this approach that has guaranteed him results in the past. He still believes form will come good if he is given time to turn it around, there is no crisis of confidence here.

But it is precisely this stubbornness that is infuriating supporters, who have implored him to throw the shackles off. The number of creative players on the bench was staggering, considering how poor Albion were going forward.

TEAM DESPERATELY NEEDS A NUMBER 10

Last season it was James Morrison, but he is injured. There is an argument that Nacer Chadli should be tried in a central position, but he’s looked poor whenever he’s played this season. Jay Rodriguez has done ok as a secondary striker, so perhaps he should be tried there.

But whoever it is, it’s obvious Albion need a central attacking midfielder in their ranks. The defensive eight were too far away from the front two on Saturday, and the midfield trio lacked a creative spark. Again.

PULIS HAS A POINT, BUT HE DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THE GRIPE

The under-fire head coach defended himself afterwards, claiming the club was in a stronger position now than when he took over. That’s correct, the squad is stronger, and he has steadied the ship while laying foundations that can be built on.

The issue is, he now has the tools to play more expansively but is either incapable or unwilling to do so. That means results have got worse and are now just as bad as when he took over, even though the club is in a stronger position. What irritates fans is that this regression was all too predictable and confirmed their previously-held fears about Pulis.

NUMBER OF GAMES LEFT TO SAVE HIS JOB IS SHORTENING

Before the Huddersfield disaster, Pulis had until Christmas to turn form around, one game against every club in the division, a fair barometer of progress. But failing to lay a glove on the ten men of a newly promoted team until injury time may have quickened up the need for results.

However, there is no point sacking him without a succession plan in place, and that’s the big issue, the next man has to be an improvement. Right now the club do not see any obvious available candidates.