Tony Pulis: Claudio Ranieri directly benefiting from Nigel Pearson's work at Leicester
Tony Pulis reckons Claudio Ranieri is reaping the benefits of Nigel Pearson's hard work at Leicester.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's clash at The Hawthorns, the Albion manager was quick to play down the impact the Italian has had on the East Midlands side.
Leicester are fifth in the table and have lost just one game so far this season.
But when Pulis was asked if Ranieri had done a great job, he said: "I'm not so sure about that.
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"I thought the second half of the season Nigel's Leicester team were absolutely fantastic.
"Ranieri has benefited without a question of a doubt from all the work Nigel has put in.
"It's very, very nice to step into a football club where everything is in place and that club looks like everything is in place.
"The finish of last season was a remarkable achievement.
"Claudio has taken it, picked it up and carried it on, but let's not forget the work that Nigel did in the three or four years he was at the club putting it in a position for Claudio to push on."
Leicester's last visit to The Hawthorns was six months ago on Jeff Astle Day.
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Pearson's side had just beaten West Ham but were still bottom of the league.
Albion were 2-1 up with ten minutes to go but then Robert Huth equalised for the Foxes before Jamie Vardy scored a 90th minute winner.
It kick-started Leicester's remarkable run of form which they still appear to be on.
Tomorrow, Vardy is looking to become only the third player after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Daniel Sturridge to score in eight consecutive Premier League games.
Pulis was full of praise for the English striker who's come from humble beginnings.
"When you go back and look at when I first started, apprentices used to come in threes or fours and if you weren't taken on as a professional at 18 you went back out.
"The kids who weren't taken on were recycled back into non-league football.
"That has stopped. It's not as regular it used to be because the academies keep the players until 21 years of age so they don't get out.
"Vardy is one of the few who has gone and done that and come back into the league.
"It's refreshing to actually see a lad who's experienced working in non-league football and then coming into the professional game and respecting and understanding how lucky he is.
"Every game is a cup final for him and he plays that way.
"He has done absolutely fantastically well for himself and he's got his just rewards."
