West Brom begin wingplay focus after McManaman capture

West Bromwich Albion head coach Tony Pulis may switch his side’s attacking focus to play from wide positions after securing a deal for Callum McManaman, and the club already boasting a variety of talented widemen.

The Baggies, odds-on 1/9 with Coral to stay up, confirmed the capture of winger McManaman this week in a £4.75m move from Wigan Athletic.

Pulis’ signing and recent squad selections could show his focused reliance on width for the remainder of the current Premier League campaign, with the Baggies hoping to steer clear of relegation.

The Hawthorns outfit already have Stephane Sessegnon, Cristian Gamboa and Chris Brunt as out-and-out wide players, suggesting Pulis is keen to focus his side’s attack from the wide positions after McManaman’s move.

The 23-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year contract, making him Pulis’ first signing as Baggies boss, and is ecstatic about the wonderful winger’s recruitment.

“I’m delighted we’ve got Callum and I believe he will be an exciting addition,” said Pulis. “Callum is a player who can improve our options and I am really looking forward to working with him.”

McManaman was Wigan’s joint top scorer this season with five goals in his 23 outings, also netting twice in the top-flight for the Latics in the 2012/13 campaign.

After being released by his boyhood club Everton, the wideman joined the DW Stadium outfit and was named Man of the Match when his former employers beat Manchester City to claim the 2013 FA Cup.

The former Championship star is the latest player to leave a struggling Wigan side in this Winter transfer window, with Adam Forshaw recently joining Middlesbrough, Ben Watson also departing and Shaun Maloney relocating to the MLS.

Menacing McManaman, who made 109 appearances for the Latics, joins a rejuvenated Albion side under the guidance of Pulis, who took charge at the start of the New Year.