Just as he usually does each morning before training, Tony Pulis spent 45 minutes stimulating body and mind on Thursday.
A fitness fanatic even as he approaches his 59th birthday in January, Pulis pedalled away on an exercise bike in West Brom’s gym while watching footage of Hull City, who his side visit on Saturday.
It seems the Premier League manager who has consistently extracted the maximum from his teams does likewise with his time at work. The Welshman could be forgiven for feeling contentment as he pumped his legs and studied the screen.
Two successive wins have elevated West Brom into ninth and within sight of the European places Pulis ultimately aspires to reach during his tenure.