West Brom fans back Tony Pulis in season survey

More than 80 per cent of the 1,400 fans who took part in the Express & Star’s end-of-season survey claimed they were happy with the job being done by the Baggies head coach, while over two-thirds are hopeful he will be given a contract extension beyond next summer.

But the jury remains out on Guochuan Lai’s takeover, while the vast majority of supporters believe it is imperative the club strengthen their forward line this summer.

The resounding backing for Pulis comes despite a disappointing end to the season which saw Albion lose nine of their final 12 league games and slide from eighth to 10th in the table over the closing weeks of the campaign.

But the boss had clearly built enough credit during a rousing mid-season run which propelled the Baggies into the top half of the table and briefly threaten to challenge for a Europa League place.

Of the supporters who took part in our survey, 88 per cent were satisfied with the final league position as Albion finished in the Premier League top 10 for the third time in six seasons.

A total of 81 per cent expressed themselves happy at the job being done by Pulis, while 67 per cent want the 59-year-old to be given a contract beyond the end of next season.

And though a small majority of fans remain unhappy at the team’s style of play, 83 per cent believe progress was made this season and 74 per cent reckons the Baggies played better football than compared to the previous campaign.

Lai heralded in a new era last August when he completed a £175million buy-out of long-standing Albion chairman Jeremy Peace.

But the Chinese businessman has largely stayed in the background to this point and, perhaps unsurprisingly, a significant portion of supporters surveyed remain uncertain as to how the takeover will pan out.

Though 47 per cent claimed to be happy with the takeover, an almost equal amount are still unsure as to their feelings. Questions about new chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman delivered similar results.

Lai’s reputation among supporters will almost certainly be dependent on the funds which are made available for strengthening during the transfer window.

Pulis blamed the late slump in results on the small size of his squad and supporters seem to agree that significant recruitment is required over the summer.

More than 80 per cent of supporters who took part in our survey believe the Baggies need to make between four and six signings, with 91 per cent thinking up front is where the majority of the money needs to be spent.

Salomon Rondon finished as the club’s top scorer for the second season running despite netting just eight goals – including only one in the second half of the campaign.

But the majority of fans are hoping the Venezuelan remains at The Hawthorns next year, with the onus placed on providing him with more support in the attacking third. Close to two-thirds trust the club to make the right decisions in the transfer market.

One of the more disappointing aspects to Albion’s season was their record in cup competitions, losing out to lower league opponents in both. Yet fans are split on the importance of finishing in the top half of the Premier League, compared to a decent cup run.

Goalkeeper Ben Foster meanwhile scooped both the fans’ and players’ player of the season awards for the third time and those supporters in our survey agree, with 46 per cent recognising him as the club’s best player.

Winger Matt Phillips finished fourth in the poll but was the overwhelming choice for best signing after adding a creative spark to the team, polling 72 per cent of the vote.