CRYSTAL Palace boss Tony Pulis is desperately trying to land some of his transfer targets in the current transfer window but has had to watch one of his rival managers splash the cash in 24 hours.
Hull have boosted their survival chances in the Premier League by signing Nikica Jelavic from Everton and then West Bromwich Albion's Shane Long, both for a combined fee of £12m.
And Pulis has hailed the Tigers' business as the transfer window approaches its third week.
He said: "This league is a very relentless league. It's one that if you stand still, you'll fall back.
"Hull City have proved that this week. They had a good start to the season and he (Steve Bruce) has gone out and spent a lot of money on two centre-forwards who, I think, will guarantee them Premier League football.
"It has cost them a lot of money, not just with the transfer fees but everything else connected to it.
"Steve recognises how tough this league is and he's gone out and done some very, very good business."
Palace come up against Hull on Tuesday, January 28, and Palace fans have earmarked the game as a good opportunity for the Eagles to pick up victory.
But Pulis doesn't agree it will be an easy ride against them and hopes he will have some new players in by the time the two clubs meet.
"We play a team who have spent £12m on two strikers - on paper, you can say this, that and the other, but they're tough games," he said.
"The past three weeks were really crucial, I felt. We haven't done any business so we've got to try and move on and get players in now to give us a chance.
"We've worked very, very hard since I've come to the football club to get in the pack. What we've got to do now is strengthen it to give us a chance, not only to stay with the pack but get out of it.
"Everybody will do their best while I'm manager here."
