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Brunt: New West Brom regime with Tony Pulis

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Captain Chris Brunt insists the onus is on his West Brom team-mates to make the most of the clean slate offered by the new Tony Pulis regime.

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Pulis officially takes charge of his first league game since his appointment as head coach at the Hawthorns tomorrow.

He has added his former Stoke and Palace assistant Dave Kemp and ex-Ipswich boss Paul Jewell to his management team.

Skipper Brunt said the players – including those who had not often featured under previous head coaches – are keen to impress.

"Everybody gets a clean slate when somebody new comes in," said the Northern Ireland international.

"A couple of the lads who may not have been playing so much under Pepe Mel, Steve Clarke or Alan Irvine may now get a look-in under the new gaffer.

"It is down to us all to work hard in training and prove that we should be in the team and show the new gaffer that we want to do the jobs that he wants us to do.

"Of course it can be an unsettling time. Some people might think that there's a new manager in and 'he might not fancy me'.

"You've just got to train and do your job and do what he wants us to do because he is coaching us for what he wants us to do on a Saturday.

"He will pick the players that are able to do the jobs to the best of what he thinks."

Brunt agreed that most of the team are on a trial period, adding: "When a new boss comes in there is always that sort of feeling. You are never guaranteed a starting place, regardless.

"The new man may bring somebody in out of the cold that wasn't playing who he thinks can maybe do a better job.

"Football is all about opinions and one person may think you are better than somebody else at certain things."

Chris Brunt of West Bromwich Albion shoots and scores a goal against Gateshead last weekend.

Brunt revealed that Pulis has already adopted a hands-on approach on the training ground as he bids to turn the team's fortunes around.

The midfielder said: "Paul Jewell has come in and done bits and pieces and Dave Kemp has come in but the gaffer has done most of it.

"It's things like little tactical bits and pieces that he is looking to try and implement. It's been all systems go for the last few days."

And Brunt gave a glimpse into how the new regime are getting their message across on the training ground.

"They are very hands-on on a lot of tactical stuff, out on the pitch the 11 v 11 stuff. They talk and walk people around the proper positions that he is after," he said.

"It is very similar to what Roy Hodgson brought. At the end of the day if we are all drilled and know what each other is doing it is going to be easier to help each other out.

"Sometimes if we lack a little bit of quality in certain areas you can make up for it with team work."

Pulis quickly left his seat in the directors box last weekend as Albion initially struggled in their FA Cup third round tie against Gateshead, and began barking instructions from the touchline.

Albion went on to win 7-0, with Brunt among the goals, and he said: "As the game wore on we got more into it and did OK.

"This is a home game against Hull. It's an important one for us to try and get something out of and, hopefully, look to kick off the new gaffer's reign with a home win."

Brunt is looking forward to working with Jewell, adding: "I know a couple of the lads have worked with him before and they're saying he's a character.

"I'm sure the gaffer wouldn't have brought him in if he didn't think he was the right guy for the job."