Tony Pulis: I would have kept West Brom up

Pulis was sacked in November following a run of two wins from 21 games stretching across two seasons and left the Baggies hovering above the relegation zone.

But he believes his former club should not be going down this season because they’ve got a top 12 squad.

He described Albion's impending relegation as a 'real shame' and when he was asked if he would have kept them up, he said: "It's hypothetical. I'd back myself and my record says yes they would (have stayed up).

"They went for Alan (Pardew) who obviously wasn't successful and they fell away. People who made that decision are those you should be asking.

"It's very difficult to actually go through the details and everything that was happening at the football club come the end of my time there,” added Pulis. "I had two and a half wonderful years at the football club.

"I personally don't think they should have got relegated. I think they have a top 12 squad, without a question of a doubt.”

Pulis, who has never been relegated in his career, was employed by Middlesbrough a month later and has guided the North East club to the Championship play-offs this season.

Albion, meanwhile, are destined for the drop, and barring a minor miracle the Baggies will be playing Championship football next season.

Darren Moore has delayed that relegation three weeks in a row thanks to a four-game unbeaten run and Pulis believes the caretaker boss has returned to what made Albion successful under him.

"They've still got chance, if Mooro can pull it together," he said. "You can see he's gone back to basics, got them back together as group, as a team.

"That's what we were all about when I was there and we didn't struggle at all. They're good players and it's a real shame because it's a fantastic club."

Pardew took Albion from just above the relegation zone to bottom of the table and 10 points from safety.

In an interview for the match-day programme, goalkeeper Ben Foster said: "When Alan came in, I think he knew the way the fans felt about Tony's style of football, he has his way of playing as well and I think he probably just tried to change things around too much and too quick."