DESPITE having the experienced Tony Pulis at the helm, the 2015-16 Premier League season could be a difficult one for West Bromwich Albion.

After a tricky start last season under the Alan Irvine, the arrival of Pulis came at the right time as he immediately guided Albion to safety.

The club eventually finished 13th, nine points clear of the drop, and fans will be hoping the Welshman embarks on the coming season with his usual no-nonsense approach.

But they have been handed a tough set of August for their sixth consecutive season in the Premier League with last seasons top two Chelsea and Manchester City both visiting The Hawthorns.

The problems for Pulis is revamping the average, unspectacular squad he inherited.

Over recent weeks it seems that the manager’s hands have been tied in the transfer market as current chairman Jeremy Peace looked to sell the club to a Chinese consortium.

During that period the arrival of former Wigan Athletic winger James McClean was the only new addition to the squad.

However, since Peace confirmed that the takeover had fallen through, Pulis has strengthened further with James Chester and Rickie Lambert arriving from Hull City and Liverpool respectively.

And the Baggies faithful will be hoping that Lambert can carry his pre-season form into the new campaign after he scored twice on his debut against Bristol Rovers — just a few hours after completing his £3 million switch from Merseyside.

Talks were ongoing with former Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Bakary Sako as the 27-year-old was available on a free transfer after leaving the Molineux at the end of last season.

Having originally been put off by the player’s inflated personal terms, Pulis has recently re-opened talks with the Mali international after he lowered his wage demands.

However, Crystal Palace pipped in at the last minute to wrap up the signing.

There has also been interest shown in the Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall as cover for Ben Foster, who is likely to be out until October after damaging cruciate knee ligaments last season.

But Pulis’s biggest challenge over the coming weeks will be to stave off any interest in Saido Berahino.

The England striker has been linked with a move to Tottenham in recent weeks. But over the last few days Manchester City and Newcastle United have also expressed an interest in the 21-year-old.

The latter may, however, be put off by the £20m asking price, paving the way for big-spending City to to add further to their English quota following the arrival of Fabian Delph from Aston Villa.

But whatever happens in the coming weeks before the transfer window slams shut, the season ahead could be one of Pulis’s toughest yet with another relegation battle on the cards.

However, with the league’s managerial escape artist in the dugout, Albion should once again escape the drop.