West Brom boss Tony Pulis under intense pressure with club owner to fly in for Chelsea game amid dreadful run

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West Bromwich Albion owner Guochuan Lai will fly in for Chelsea's visit to The Hawthorns after the international break as the scrutiny increases on Tony Pulis.

The West Brom manager is battling to save his job following a run of two wins in 20 Premier Leagues including last season, with supporters turning on the 59-year-old from the stands.

Lai typically attends West Brom's biggest games and has long planned to watch the contest against the champions in person. 

Tony Pulis is under pressure after a run of form has seen just two wins in 20 league games

West Brom are 16th in the Premier League table, just one point above the drop zone

But the Chinese businessman will now gauge first hand the response to Pulis from fans during the game on November 18 and is likely to factor it into any decision over the Welshman.

The board have been taken aback by the vitriol aimed at Pulis, with supporters repeatedly barracking him during Saturday's loss to Huddersfield, and have become worried over a desperately poor run of form that stretches back to March.

While not necessarily needing to win against Chelsea, there is a feeling that a heavy defeat combined with a febrile home atmosphere might prompt the club's hierarchy to consider all options. 

Chairman John Williams has enjoyed a close working relationship with Pulis and is supportive, but has grown conceded over results which now read five losses and four draws from eight previous games. West Brom are one point above the drop zone in 16th and a relegation battle is looming.

The Baggies have enjoyed stability under Pulis but cracks are beginning to appear 

As customary, Williams went into the dressing room after Saturday's game to talk to Pulis and players, and has been counselling for patience.

Pulis has much credit in the bank from saving West Brom from relegation when appointed midway through the 2014-15 season and guiding the club to 10th last term. He has also revamped the squad with a number of quality signings.

Pulis is aware he is under significant pressure at present though, admitting the run is one of the worst in his long career, and a major factor in the disconnect with supporters is the team's safety-first style of play.

West Brom will target an improved performance against Chelsea with the owner watching on

A number of supporters have aimed their vitriol at the manager for lacklustre displays

There is curiosity within the club that three holding midfielders in Gareth Barry, Jake Livermore, and Grzegorz Krychowiak have started six of seven possible Premier League games together, while wingers such as Matt Phillips, Oliver Burke, Nacer Chadli, Chris Brunt and James McClean have been variously left out.

Chadli is West Brom's record signing, Burke cost £15million this summer, and Phillips was West Brom's main creative force last season. 

All three have been injured for periods but were absent from the starting line-up at the John Smith' s Stadium for tactical reasons.

Pulis will not have a great deal of time to prepare specifically for Chelsea, with more than half his squad away on international duty, but knows a sharp upturn in performances and results is required to make it to his three-year anniversary at West Brom on New Year's Day. He signed a new contract up to 2019 in August.