Pulis: Fletcher know-how vital
West Brom boss Tony Pulis insists his decision to make Darren Fletcher captain is no reflection on previous skipper Chris Brunt.
Scotland skipper Fletcher joined West Brom on a free transfer on deadline day with Pulis believing the former Manchester United vice-captain's experience will play a crucial role in Albion's battle to beat the Barclays Premier League drop.
The 31-year-old was named captain for his debut in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Burnley and Pulis explained his call to hand the armband to Fletcher was no slight on Northern Ireland international Brunt.
"Brunty was asked to be captain a while back I think and he took it," Pulis said before Swansea's league visit to The Hawthorns on Wednesday.
"I don't think he has ever said he wanted to be captain or anything like that. He was asked and he took it.
"I think Darren has come into the football club and he's got a bit of stature about himself.
"The other players have responded very well to him.
"I always had it in my mind that it (the signing of Fletcher) wouldn't be just about him playing, it would be his influence, the way he trains, the way he works, the way he lives his life.
"He is a wonderful character and hopefully that will rub off on other people."
Pulis revealed he called a meeting with the club's senior professionals on Tuesday morning to outline what he expects from the dressing-room in the coming weeks.
The former Stoke and Crystal Palace boss won his first league game in charge last month against Hull but since then West Brom have lost at home to Tottenham and drawn at Everton and Burnley and are hovering three points above the relegation zone.
"We had a meeting with the senior pros. I had Brunty in there, Joleon (Lescott), Ben (Foster) and Fletch, talking about little things that I want to be implemented at the football club over the next couple of weeks," Pulis said.
"They are senior players, they have all played in the Premier League for a long time.
"Darren might be wearing the armband, we might expect a lot of him, but there are other people who can join in and contribute.
"That is the way I have always been."
Pulis must decide whether to plump for England Under-21 international Saido Berahino or Nigeria striker Brown Ideye against Swansea after Victor Anichebe suffered an early groin injury at Burnley.
Berahino replaced Anichebe at Turf Moor but Ideye grabbed West Brom's second-half equaliser on his first appearance since his proposed deadline-day switch to Qatari club Al Gharafa collapsed.
Albion's B#10million record signing from Dinamo Kiev last summer could still technically leave the club as the Qatari transfer window does not shut for another eight days, but Pulis wants him to make the most of his second chance.
"If he goes we've only got Saido and Victor as our two centre-forwards so we can't let anyone else go," Pulis said.
"He's got a great opportunity now to play some games.
"What he has to do is put the ball in the back of the net because irrespective of what we talk about, they get judged on what they do on the pitch.
"Hopefully the goal on Sunday will take that weight off his shoulders."
Swansea have opened talks to buy the Liberty Stadium, the city council has confirmed.
The Premier League club currently share the council-owned stadium with rugby union side Ospreys through a 50-year lease.
Swansea were a third-tier side when the stadium opened in 2005 but they have since established themselves in the top flight and are keen to increase the capacity of the 20,800 venue.
"Positive, exploratory discussions with the Swans have now started about selling the Liberty Stadium to them," Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart told the South Wales Evening Post.
"This would give the Swans complete control of the stadium and further support their expansion plans in future, but it's important we protect the needs of the Ospreys too."
Stewart said Swansea Council had to make savings of #81 million over the next three years and the sale of the Liberty Stadium is expected to raise funds somewhere in the region of #20 to #25 million.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, writing in the match programme for Saturday's 1-1 league draw with Sunderland, said the next few months "could change the way we operate forever."
"There are a lot of key decisions to make regarding the way this football club moves forward off the pitch," Jenkins said.
"Talks with Swansea Council about the ownership and running of the Liberty Stadium is top of the list, plus making sure the funding is right for us and in place to build the East Stand extension as soon as possible."
Wayne Routledge is back in contention at West Brom on Wednesday but the winger will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.
Routledge returned to training on Monday following the calf strain he picked up against Chelsea on January 17 and fellow wideman Modou Barrow is also available after sustaining a blow to the knee against Sunderland.
But Gylfi Sigurdsson is absent again as he completes a three-match suspension and Marvin Emnes is out with a hamstring injury.
Source: PA
