Tony Puils praises duo over contract extensions
West Brom manager Tony Pulis believes Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson signing new contracts keeps the club's solid foundations in place.
The experienced defenders have both put pen to paper on one-year deals, prolonging their stay at The Hawthorns until the summer of 2017.
McAuley is 37 towards the end of this year but the Northern Ireland international, who is likely to represent his country at the forthcoming European Championships in France, has been a rock at the heart of the Albion defence this season, making 33 appearances to date. Olsson, 33, has featured 27 time during the current campaign.
At his pre-match press conference on Friday morning ahead of the visit of Watford in the Barclays Premier League, Pulis praised both players' character.
"Gareth and Jonas have been smashing again this year and they're the foundation that this club has been built on for the past six or seven years," he said.
"Their attitude in training and with the younger players has been absolutely first class. They're really good pros, great examples to the younger players that will come into this club eventually. They're good examples for the academy lads as well.
"The fact they've been at the football club for such a long period as well, they've got West Brom through them. They know how the club works, they know the way it's run and they're good lads. That's important.
"With Jonas and Gareth now signing we've got a good backbone to go into next season, it's just reward for them."
McAuley and Olsson, who have been with West Brom since 2011 and 2008 respectively, have also impressed Pulis with their fitness levels.
McAuley is Albion's oldest outfield player to play in the Premier League and he shows no signs of letting up.
"His fitness levels are fantastic, when you think he's played a load of games with Northern Ireland as well this season coupled with all the games he's played for us," said Pulis.
"Jonas has had a bad injury but came back from that and been outstanding in some of the games he's played this year. He needs a good pre-season to get him back to the levels he was before, but at his age there's no reason he can't go on.
"It shows the level of fitness that people can obtain if they look after themselves."
Pulis will check on Salomon Rondon, Alex Pritchard and Callum McManaman before finalising his plans for Saturday's home game against Watford.
Quique Sanchez Flores is ready to tinker with his side for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to West Brom.
The Watford boss has not seen the Hornets win in their last six league games and there is an FA Cup semi-final with Crystal Palace to come next weekend.
Both factors have contributed to Flores admitting he may look to make alterations at the Hawthorns - with another away game at West Ham before Sunday's Wembley showdown with Palace.
"I think it is the first time during the season that we need to think seriously in two matches at West Brom and West Ham in terms of choosing players," he said.
"We need to think because we have to play two in the Premier League and then we have a very serious match in the FA Cup.
"We have a lot of players, in the last we change three, four or five players in every match and try to show the players that they all have a good opportunity. A lot of players have got to play."
The likes of Nathan Ake, Allan Nyom and Nordin Amrabat could earn recalls if Flores does intend to mix things up.
Six games without a victory has left Watford looking over their shoulder for the first time this season.
Two more points would move Flores' side on to 40 points and all-but guarantee them a second campaign in the top flight.
But Flores knows picking up those points against the Baggies will not be an easy task.
"West Brom we respect them a lot, we need to try and choose the right teams," he added.
"This is the first match of the week, we are in this process so West Brom is a very tough game.
"In their stadium they are really strong, they use the long ball very well and the set pieces.
"They have three players playing well in attack in Saido Berahino, Solomon Rondon and Stephane Sessegnon so we need to take care of West Brom.
"I think they suffered a lot a few years ago. With Pulis the team is consistent and is a stable team. They look well during the season - it is not easy to win against West Brom."
Source: PAR
