West Brom, 14th in the league and with three wins in their last 10 league appearances, have "12 cup finals" between now and the end of the season, says Pulis.

Goals would help - the Baggies have scored just 24 so far, the joint lowest total in the league, alongside Swansea.

Pulis adds: "We have to get to 40 points as quick as possible because the league this year has been so unpredictable." For reference, West Brom are currently on 32 points.

Image source, AFP

In case you missed it, West Brom's Chris Brunt was hit with a coin thrown by a fan in last weekend's FA Cup match against Reading. 

Tony Pulis has spoken about the incident, saying: "Everybody was disappointed with the coin incident. We don't want to see things like that in the greatest game in the world."

Image source, Getty Images

Talking of China, the transfer window there closes later on Friday after a remarkable few weeks of lavish spending.

But we want to know which player your club has paid over the odds for?

We're not particularly interested in your Verons, Carrolls and Torres.... instead we want to hear about the time your club splurged their entire transfer warchest™ on a centre forward with a dodgy knee and questionable leisure pursuits.

Let us know at #bbcsportsday or on the Match of the Day Facebook page, external

Rob Nothman
BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

A week doesn't go by without a lengthy list of questions for Arsene Wenger at his Friday news conference. How have Arsenal reacted to that Barcelona defeat? Are they concerned the clouds are lifting at Sunday's opponents Manchester United? Who is Wenger backing for Fifa president? Answers shortly...

Sunday Oliseh has resigned as Nigeria coach, citing a string of reasons on his Twitter page. 

Earlier this month the 41-year-old was fined US$30,000 for an eight-minute rant hitting back at what he called the "insanity" of his critics. He later apologised.

Oliseh had come under pressure after Nigeria failed to get past the group stages of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

How has China become a big player in football in just a few years and what has driven its growing popularity?

Image source, AFP

Louis van Gaal wanted his Manchester United players to feel "horny" and "hungry" for their Europa League last 16 tie against FC Midtjylland on Thursday, and it looks like his unconventional words of motivation worked - 5-1 at home was the outcome at Old Trafford.

Teenager Marcus Rashford scored twice on his debut, with Ander Herrera's penalty and Memphis Depay's late goal completing the rout.

Elsewhere, Tottenham dispatched Fiorentina 3-0 to reach the Europa League last 16 and underline their credentials as serious contenders for the tournament.

But spare a thought for Rapid Vienna who lost 0-4 to Valencia - that made it 0-10 on aggregate. The highest such loss in the history of the Europa League, according to Opta. Brutal.

A few more pieces of player news from Alan Pardew. 

He says midfielder James McArthur's rehab from ankle ligament damage is slow going but adds that Yannick Bolasie's involvement against Spurs last time out has lifted the squad.

"I think he's ready to start [Bolasie]. He's very important to us. We've got 12 games left and he'll be significant in all of those."

"We know our results have been disappointing recently, there's no doubt about that, and we need to put that right." 

Alan Pardew is referring to his sole win in his last 10 Premier League games, a run that also includes six losses.

"We're a resilient side. We're fast and dynamic. Injuries took that away from us and I'm looking forward to having that back."

Alan Pardew says Scott Dann and Wilfried Zaha are England material. "It's just a case of Roy deciding if they fit in his squad."

High praise for striker Emmanuel Adebayor as well. "On his day [he] can be one of the best players in this division," says the manager.

Regarding Adebayor's long-term future, he adds: "It's an open book for Ade and us, really. We'll run with each other to the end of the year and see what we want to do."

Image source, Getty Images

And with that, Eddie Howe's news conference draws to a close. Not much in the way of team news for Cherries fans unfortunately.

Alan Pardew has been speaking at his morning chat with the media. He opens by saying he will have the same team that beat Tottenham 0-1 in the FA Cup fifth round last weekend.

Midfielder Bakary Sako is close to returning and could potentially be involved against West Brom, he says. But Jason Puncheon remains out for a couple more weeks.

Eddie Howe says his team's four-point cushion above the relegation zone is "not enough". "We must keep pushing to reach the points total we set ourselves," he adds.

The manager also heaps praise on Watford's attacking options (presumably Odion Igahlo and Troy Deeney), calling them "the best front pair that we played against last season".

Image source, Reuters/Getty Images

"Four huge games" says Eddie Howe. That's what he's reminding his players to stay focused on as he shrugs off their FA Cup fifth-round defeat by Everton last weekend.

"The Everton game was different for us, but we've had a good week of training with fresh players to prepare well," he adds.

In case you're wondering, this is what February and March looks like for the Cherries... 

Image source, .

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has taken his seat. We'll bring you any updates as they drop.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford is described as being "like Ruud van Nistelrooy" after he helped Manchester United through to the last 16 of the Europa League against FC Midtjylland. The Fifa presidental election is also previewed.

Listen here

Jenny Thompson (swimming) - American who won 12 medals - including eight golds- at the 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. Also claimed 14 world championship medals, born 1973.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (football) - former Manchester United and Norway striker, now manager of Molde, born 1973.

Shane Williams (rugby union) - former Wales wing and their record try-scorer, born 1977.

Li Na (tennis) - 2011 French Open winner and 2014 Australian Open champion, born 1982.

Pepe (football) - Real Madrid and Portugal defender, born 1983.

Emmanuel Adebayor (football) - Crystal Palace and Togo striker, born 1984. 

Image source, Getty Images

Aside from that, there's plenty more happening on Friday...

The Fifa Emergency Congress will rumble on all day in Zurich, with the vote for a new president scheduled to begun at 13:15 GMT.

We've also got the Europa League round of 16 draw at 12:00, an England rugby news conference at 12:30 and the weigh-in ahead of the fight between Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg at 13:00.

Later on Friday, Hull host Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, Celtic travel to Hamilton in the Scottish Premiership and Port Vale welcome Southend in League One (all 19:45). In the Six Nations, Wales face France in Cardiff (20:05) and, in Super League, Hull KR host St Helens and Warrington go to Wakefield.

Right, here's what's coming up... 

Nine Premier League managers will face the media over the next few hours. As ever, the times are approximate and are in GMT.

• 08:00 Bournemouth
• 08:30 Crystal Palace
• 09:00 Arsenal, West Brom
• 12:30 Manchester City
• 13:00 Liverpool, Norwich
• 13:15 Chelsea
• 14:30 Stoke

The Guardian

The Fifa presidental election will dominate the latter part of the day, as five candidates scrabble to replace Sepp Blatter. However FA chairman Greg Dyke reckons the deposed leader would win the most votes were he standing again.

Image source, .

Daily Mirror

It promises to be an interesting few months across Manchester, with reports on Friday that Pep Guardiola is keen to have Ajax midfielder Riechedly Bazoer in his Manchester City squad next term. Being 19, he is of course described as a 'wonderkid'...

Image source, .