Pulis tells of regrets over collapsed West Brom transfer deals
Tony Pulis admits Albion's survival hopes have been hit by their "disappointing" transfer deadline day.
The Baggies boss was left frustrated after landing just one of his three top targets on Monday as deals for Carlton Cole and Martin Olsson collapsed at the 11th hour.
And Pulis, who had previously described saving the Baggies from relegation as his toughest managerial test, says Monday's events have made it even harder.
"It's certainly going to be tougher now, yes, because we've missed out on one or two players we thought we had a good chance of getting," said the Welshman.
"It was always going to be difficult because of the short period of time and we only had four weeks really to sort the players out and get the players in that we needed.
We're pleased with Darren Fletcher, and Callum McManaman has looked a lot stronger this week in training.
"But there were one or two other areas we needed to strengthen.
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"We haven't, so we just have to get on with it."
Olsson's failure to arrive for his medical in time to complete his move from Norwich left Pulis without a new left-back after he had deployed centre-half Joleon Lescott there in the Baggies' previous two games.
The head coach refused to be drawn on summer signing Sebastien Pocognoli's exile from the starting XI or on whether Lescott would be forced into an extended spell in the position despite expressing his own reservations last weekend.
He said: "Pocognoli's a good lad. It (selection) is just a personal view.
"I like him as a kid. He works hard and trains well, as they've all done this week.
"They have been very good after the Tottenham game. They didn't have their heads down.
"There are certain areas we wanted to improve to give us more of an option and make the team better balanced but we have to get on with it.
"It is no good crying over spilled milk. What has happened has happened and you have to get over it."
Pulis is waiting on the fitness of back-up goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, whose gashed thumb has almost healed, and he confirmed that Graham Dorrans' move to Norwich could be resurrected on loan after a permanent move collapsed when the Olsson transfer in the opposite direction fell through.
"That could still be done," said Pulis. "As long as Youssouf Mulumbu comes back fit (from the African Cup of Nations) that will give us another midfield player."
