Stayaways: It's not all Tony Pulis' fault

Earlier this week we asked Albion fans if Tony Pulis' defensive style of play was responsible for a dip in attendances.

We received a passionate response.

Yes, there are a handful of fans out there that have stopped going to The Hawthorns because of the football on offer, and yes, there are even more disgruntled punters threatening to vote with their feet but unable to leave the club they love.

But there were also plenty of fans happy with Pulis and many gave different explanations behind the slight drop in numbers.

"Me and my mate went to 80 per cent of home games last season, but I can't afford it so much this season," said Ryan, who sits in the Brummie Road End.

"I have to get my priorities straight with moving house and a baby on the way and with a job with no contract.

"I would love to go to every game home and away but match days are too expensive now.

"So it's nothing to do with Pulis, maybe a lot of other people are in the same situation as me."

People are struggling financially, and many of the games are televised, making it sensible for fans to stay at home.

Technology has brought about a cultural shift in football away from the terraces and on to the smartphone or tablet.

Others blamed the routine of the Premier League. With Leicester flying high and Chelsea in tatters, this is the most exciting season for a long time.

But, on the whole, the financial weight of the biggest clubs makes it difficult for mid-table teams to challenge for the top spots. Ambition is becoming a thing of the past.

What's apparent is that people are moving away from live football because of a variety of things.

Clive Heywood did not renew his season ticket for many reasons.

Annoyed the price went up £50, he reckons the number of good football matches on offer at The Hawthorns are few and far between.

"I'm tired of going into matches not to lose rather than going at teams to win," he said.

Although Pulis has his fans, there are supporters unhappy with the playing style.

Duncan Jackson still goes every week.

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"I don't know how long I can justify that," he said. "Be keeping my £400 in my pocket next season though it will be a wrench to give up my seat."

Toby Davies gave up his season ticket after what he described as the "disgraceful treatment of Pepe Mel."

"Having witnessed the dire 0-0 versus Port Vale, nothing has tempted me to return to watch the negative, joyless fare served up by Pulis," he said.

"In terms of aesthetics, we have not offered up such ugly football since the dark days of Gould. As he was followed by the glorious reign of Ossie, I can only hope that history will repeat itself."

John Sheppard summed up the internal agony going on for many.

"I rate Tony Pulis as a manager and believe he is doing his best with an unbalanced squad, most of which he inherited," he said.

"I believe his goal is to survive this season while rebuilding the team. Unfortunately I go to football matches to be entertained and this is not happening at the Baggies.

"In fact it was becoming painful to watch.

"Hopefully when Tony has the players he wants and we see a change in style I shall return."

But Andy, who was a steward at the club in the mid-90s, pointed out that 20 years ago attendances were around 15,000. In the 1986/87 season, the average gate at The Hawthorns was 9,134.

"We've actually grown as a club," he said. "As have some of our nearest and dearest, whilst other clubs in the country have shrunk crowd wise."

And there are many fans out there incredibly happy with Pulis.

A lot of Baggies realise results are gold-dust in the Premier League, especially with another huge pot of TV money on the horizon.

John Bissell said: "I'm proud to say I've witnessed some brilliant games. However the goalposts have been moved since the prominence of Sky and now BT.

"Success is now measured by Premier League survival not playing pretty football.

"Give me a 1-0 win playing so called boring football than a 3-4 defeat having entertained the crowd."

This reporter has been an Albion fan his whole life and recognises the privileged position we are currently in compared to the late 80s and early 90s.

There will come a time when style of play should be seriously questioned, but we are a long way off that.

The manager deserves time, and a few more transfer windows, to get his team more finely tuned.

At the moment, the club has one of the safest pair of hands in the league.

What's more, attendances are not tumbling dramatically, fans are dripping away.

Averages from the last three full seasons have been 25,327 in 2012/13, 25,194 in 13/14 and 25,064 last season.

This season's average from the first six home games is 24,116 but three of those matches have been televised.

The other three were against Southampton, Sunderland and Leicester. Hardly pulse-racing fixtures.

The real acid tests are coming up.

Two Saturday 3pm kick-offs against Arsenal and Spurs will hopefully bring out the numbers.