It has been a rather interesting start for West Ham United in the Championship this season.

As soon as relegation hit the London Stadium in May, everyone knew the pressure was dialled up within the club because nothing but an instant return to the Premier League was going to be expected.

From the first half against Millwall to the 1-1 home draw against Queens Park Rangers, there are many examples where you just want more, and Nuno seems to be sitting on his hands.

That’s why it isn’t a surprise that Pulis is ‘not so sure’ that West Ham are a ‘step above’ whoever the team is coming up against.

But despite that, Pulis, who had promotion success with Stoke City, is still backing West Ham to earn promotion to the Premier League, as he told The Managers podcast.

“I have watched West Ham a couple of times, and they haven’t been over-convincing, in respect of the game and the control of the game,” said Pulis.

“But they have won games. They have, of course, that little bit of quality at both ends of the pitch, which you need. You need to keep clean sheets. You need to score goals, and they are doing that.

“Have I been absolutely convinced, and looked at them and thought, ‘They are a step above everything and everybody else?’ I am not so sure.

“I think, hand on heart, they will get promoted. But are they that much better than the rest of the Championship teams? I am not so sure.”