January transfer window: Tony Pulis claims Marc Wilson gives West Brom strength in depth
Tony Pulis claims Marc Wilson will provide Albion with much-needed strength in depth after making a late deadline day move for the defender.
Wilson has joined on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the season, the deal being completed at the club's training ground last night following the Baggies' 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
The 27-year-old became Pulis's second and final recruit – after the £10million capture of Jake Livermore – of a largely-frustrating transfer window in which he was unable to land many of his top targets.
An enquiry as to the availability of Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez had been flatly rebuffed earlier on deadline day before Pulis decided to draft in Wilson, who he previously managed at Stoke.
"Marc can play anywhere across the backline and can play in midfield as well. He has that experience. He gives us that cover," said Pulis.
"We have been after players and we have not dropped for us. The market is very difficult. You look at some of the prices clubs have paid for some of the players it is just extraordinary.
"We need someone to cover everything. When you look at it we have 16 or 17 senior players now. It is a good group and a tight group, very close together. We have to get that group through 15 games."
Jonny Evans was again absent with a calf strain as the Baggies were held to a draw at the Riverside, in a game where they had the better of the chances.
James Morrison had given Pulis's side the ideal start when he opened the scoring inside six minutes but they were then pegged back when Alvaro Negredo fired home from the penalty spot, after being brought down by Gareth McAuley.
Matt Phillips and Salomon Rondon then both hit the post during the second half of an entertaining encounter.
Pulis said: "We started well and got the goal to settle us down. I didn't think it was a penalty. Watching it on slow motion, Gareth did touch the ball. That changed it and knocked us back.
"In the second half I thought we were the team who were going to win the game."
Pulis also confirmed Albion rejected a £32million bid from Chinese outfit Tianjin Quanjian for star striker Salomon Rondon.
