West Brom boss Tony Pulis: Nigel Pearson deserves credit for Leicester success
West Brom manager Tony Pulis believes Claudio Ranieri is dining out on Nigel Pearson's success at Leicester.
The Baggies boss insisted Pearson's work should not be forgotten ahead of Albion's clash with the Foxes on Saturday.
Pearson was sacked in the summer - despite guiding Leicester to safety last season with seven wins from their final nine games - after a breakdown in relationship with the club's board and was replaced by Ranieri.
The Italian took his squad for pizza on Thursday to fulfil his promise after they kept their first clean sheet of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The 1-0 win took the Foxes fifth in the Barclays Premier League but Pulis insisted Pearson should get credit.
He said: "Ranieri has benefited from all the work Nigel has put in.
"It's very, very nice to step into a football club where everything is in place and at that club it looks like everything is in place.
"Last season was a remarkable achievement and Claudio has picked it up and carried it on. It's difficult for me to say but let's not forget the work Nigel did, the three, four years he was at that club putting them in a position for Claudio now to push on."
In contrast to Leicester, the Baggies have recorded six shutouts in 10 games this season and Pulis admitted he would struggle to treat his players for every clean sheet.
He added: "I would have no money. I think it's nice, it's good to get the players together and have that social contact."
Pulis confirmed Albion have one or two injury doubts, although did not name them, as the hosts aim for just a second home league win of the season.
"You have to make sure you keep the boat pointing in the right direction and if there are big waves going over you then you are strong and steady enough to see it through," he said.
Meanwhile, Ranieri expects Leicester's Barclays Premier League momentum to remain despite defeat in the Capital One Cup.
The Foxes lost on penalties at Hull in midweek in what was only their second loss of the season in all competitions, coming after last month's league reverse against Arsenal.
Ranieri made 10 changes for the fourth-round tie, with only Marc Albrighton retaining his place from the side that started the victory over Crystal Palace.
The City boss does not believe Tuesday's cup exit will impact heavily on his team's Premier League form - he wants a reaction from his players when they face West Brom.
"I am disappointed, but there is a good spirit," Ranieri said.
"I'd like if the players show good character. Leicester lost on Tuesday, but now to react. There's a good spirit.
"It was important for me to look at my players on Tuesday, to know them better, because when you watch them in training sessions it is one thing. This was not a training session - it was a very tough match.
"And it was a good spirit from everybody. It's not important who played - they played for Leicester. Lose or win, it is Leicester.
"We show our character in every match, every second - all of the players.
"But we will be okay - our life is good. I was sad (to go out) but I was happy with the performance and now our goal is the Premier League.
"On Saturday it is not revenge but I'd like the players to carry on as before and show good character."
Despite an impressive start to the Premier League campaign, Ranieri refuses to get carried away and insists the immediate target remains retaining the club's top-flight status.
"I want to achieve 40 points, and when we achieve 40 points, I have an open mind," the 64-year-old said.
"I think when something happens you aren't thinking what happens, you live what happens.
"Maybe at the end of the season we say we've started very well, we've done very well, but now it's not the right moment to think, it's the right moment to do."
Leonardo Ulloa is expected to return from injury against Albion.
Ranieri chose not to risk Ulloa, who has recently been nursing a thigh strain, at Hull but the Argentinian striker should be back in the squad at The Hawthorns.
The Italian will make wholesale changes once more after swapping 10 players in midweek, with the Premier League's leading scorer Jamie Vardy among those to be recalled.
Source: PAR
