Jonny Evans: Tony Pulis planning ahead

Jonny Evans says Albion boss Tony Pulis is already planning for next season.

The Baggies defender revealed that Pulis tried a few tweaks to his tactical system in the goalless draw at Sunderland last Saturday, and he expects the team to be experimenting even more in the remaining seven Premier League games.

Now the club have reached 40 points, the Welshman is shifting his focus on to the next campaign, and building a platform to launch it from.

Not only that, but Pulis handed a debut to 16-year-old Jonathan Leko, and he's promised to blood more youngsters in the coming weeks.

"He's trying things," said Evans. "There was one or two things in the game he wanted to try tactically from a defensive point of view – leaving a wide man further up the pitch and little things like that.

"He brought Leko on for his debut. I'm sure he's looking ahead to next season and trying a few things out."

The fans are demanding more entertaining football, and Evans reckons reaching 40 points may just mentally free Pulis up to experiment more.

"Maybe psychologically it gives you that wee bit more security," he said.

But the Northern Irishman is still dead set on reaching as high as he can with the Baggies this season.

The talk among the dressing room is all about breaking into the top half.

"That's the aim and was before the start of the season," said Evans. "We want to get as close to the European places as we possibly can.

"The gap opens up a bit when you get into the top half between sixth and seventh.

"It would be a good achievement for us this season.

"We want to push on."

Albion haven't beaten Manchester City away from home since 2003, and the club have never taken all three points from the Etihad Stadium.

But Evans is looking forward to testing himself against his old derby rivals this coming Saturday teatime.

"If you look at our fixture run, it's going to be a tough run in with a lot of tough teams all fighting for something to play for," said the former Manchester United defender.

"It's almost like every team has got something to play for.

"When you look below 13th place a lot of them are sort of looking over their shoulders at the relegation places so they've got a lot to play for.

"Above that, anyone in the top 10 is pushing for the European places so everyone has something to play for and every game is difficult."