Darren Fletcher: Tony Pulis won't embrace average

Captain Darren Fletcher is confident Albion will improve next season – after claiming boss Tony Pulis will not settle for mediocrity.

Saturday's 2-0 win at Pulis' former club Crystal Palace has put the Baggies within touching distance of safety in the Premier League and thoughts are beginning to turn toward next year.

Fletcher, who joined the club in February from Manchester United, insists head coach Pulis will not settle for another relegation battle in what will be the first full campaign at the club for both men.

"The manager doesn't settle for mediocrity, he always wants to improve and move forward and that's very much the mindset everyone should have," he said.

"That is his mindset. Who wants to fight a relegation battle every year?

"You should try to beat your last total, go and win the next game and always look forward.

"That's what I like. He's got that attitude and desire and all the players will respond to that and if they don't I'm sure he'll do something about it."

Fletcher believes Albion, who have battled against the drop for the past two seasons, could not have a better man at the helm than the former Stoke and Palace boss, who replaced Alan Irvine on New Year's Day.

The Baggies have improved under Pulis' guidance, taking 19 points from 14 league matches.

He added: "I'm not going to tell Tony Pulis how to do his job.

"I trust the manager completely and he's been fantastic with me and everyone.

"He wants to progress and there's no better manager to do it."

Albion will look to end a run of two straight home defeats when they host Liverpool at The Hawthorns this Saturday.

The Reds are smarting after being dumped out of the FA Cup by Villa on Sunday.

And former Manchester United man Fletcher is looking forward to a battle as the Baggies look to put home defeats to QPR and Leicester behind them.

"It's great when you challenge yourselves against top players and top teams," said the 31-year-old

"That's what every individual wants to do and they have got fantastic midfielders so personally I will look forward to that battle and try to get some points.

"Our home form had been fantastic so let's try to get back to that. Let's turn it around after a couple of defeats."