Albion's Craig Gardner is kicking it old school

The 29-year-old midfielder has two goals in two games since Pulis brought him into the starting line up, in place of usual left winger James McClean.

The first was a poacher's finish that kick-started the fun against Crystal Palace, and Gardner also set up Craig Dawson's goal in that game as well as clearing one off the line at 3-2.

His second goal was an unstoppable free-kick past Kasper Schmeichel that rescued a point away at league-leaders Leicester.

The former Sunderland, Villa, and Birmingham City player has never been a fans' favourite at the Hawthorns.

But a fierce shot, a good footballing brain, a bit of bite in the tackle and the ability to play almost anywhere on the pitch has enamoured him to Pulis.

His recent performances are winning round the supporters too, but it's his behaviour off the pitch which the Baggies head coach singled out.

Pulis said: "Gards was very good. I've spoken to Craig on numerous occasions, Craig comes in and does fantastically well.

"He was outstanding Saturday. He's as important off the pitch as he is on the pitch, he's such a great character around the place.

"He's old-school, he is an old-fashioned professional who's brilliant around the dressing room.

"He keeps everything bubbling, he says what he thinks and I think he runs the players' pool.

"He's a top man Gards, I like people who are like that."

Born in Solihull, Gardner is from the West Midlands and came through the youth system at Villa before moving to Blues at 23.

Two seasons later, he moved north to the Black Cats, where he spent three seasons until joining the Baggies in the summer of 2014.

He's already played more games for Albion than Blues and if he features in this Sunday's match against Manchester United, his Baggies league appearances will leapfrog his record at Villa too.

Gardner's versatility has proved invaluable this season. Although he's a central midfielder by trade, Pulis has put him on both wings, in behind the striker and even at full-back.

His latest run in the team has come at the expense of McClean, one of the club's best players in the first half of the season.

Pulis explained: "The last couple of weeks I think James has looked tired, I don't think he's look his bright sharp self.

"That run of games he had just before Christmas, he was brilliant. He's look tired, he's looked jaded, he looks as though he needs a bit of a rest."

Reliable players like Gardner are integral to this Pulis team. He knows the 29-year-old is the sort of professional who will work hard in any position he is asked to fill in for.

Albion's running statistics are some of the best in the league and McClean covers more distance shuttling up and down the left wing than the majority of his team-mates.

At this point of the season when that effort starts to take its toll, it's useful to have someone like Gardner to rely on. The way he's playing, it will be hard to drop him.