Stoke City: Pulis bemoans tough draw at League Two Crawley
STOKE boss Tony Pulis admits his players have drawn a short straw after landing Crawley Town away in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Stoke are likely to face the League Two pacesetters on Sunday, February 19 – probably live on television – because they have Europa League ties against Valencia on the Thursday before and the Thursday after.
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Robert Huth scores for Stoke against Derby.
"It's another game where we have everything to lose and nothing to gain," said Pulis.
"They are a good side going well and will get every bit of respect from us that they deserve.
"You only have to look at what they have done over the last few years, including last year in the FA Cup, to realise the size of our task.
"They are a big side with a long throw and a small ground, so we know it's going to be a battle for us down there.
"But we will go there and give it our best, which will definitely be needed, because the FA Cup is so important to us and our fans."
Crawley, who currently lie third in League Two after losing just four of their 26 league games so far this term, only entered the Football League last summer after winning the Blue Square Conference title.
They pulled off one of the shocks of the fourth round by winning 1-0 at Hull on Saturday, while last season they defeated Derby and Torquay before bowing out 1-0 at Manchester United in the fifth round.
Their Broadfield Stadium has a capacity of just under 5,000 and Port Vale were among the clubs playing there to mark its opening in 1997.
Pulis, who takes his players to Manchester United tomorrow for their eighth away game in their last 11 fixtures, added: "The Derby game on Saturday was our 14th cup tie this season and we are guaranteed another three.
"That's a lot of games and what our players have achieved so far is absolutely fantastic."
Meanwhile, Pulis dismissed fears of a rift with Matthew Etherington after the winger stomped down the tunnel at Pride Park after being subbed in the wake of treatment on the sidelines.
"I think Matty was gutted I brought him off, but he's had a problem with his back or his groin," Pulis explained.
"So when he went down I wasn't asking him because I wasn't going to take a chance with him."
Pulis also brushed aside reports of an impending departure for Matthew Upson, who again failed to make the bench on Saturday, declaring: "Never believe the papers."
And he hasn't completely ruled out a late flurry of transfer activity ahead of tomorrow night's deadline by admitting: "There's one or two areas we need to improve. If we can get the right players, then we would do it."
Saturday's victory over Derby was clinched with a goal in each half from Cameron Jerome and Robert Huth.
DEFENDER Danny Collins was today set to complete a loan move to Southampton until the end of the season.
Match action: Pages 48 to 51
35 Comments
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by Obama4prez
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 6:34PM
“Damn it - why oh why do we have to play Man Utd home and away each season - and throw in man City, Chelsea and Arsenal too - it's just not fair - oh i forgot - we are in the Best League in the World and are about to flex our muscles for the first time in Stokes history against a current Champions League team in a European compeition. Do you think Valencia would want to play Barcelona home and away or Crawley Town. Get real Pulis you knew we were in Europe and you should have a squad big enough and good enough to fight on these fronts - especially an FA Cup tie against a lower league team - home or away. Did we not travel to Ukraine, Israel and Turkey already ? surely that experience alone more than gets us ready for a trip to the South Coast of England against Mighty Crawley - give us all a break Tone !”
by Davejjohnson
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 7:45AM
“Let's face it Mel, if Tony Pulis became part time manager of Wales and they won the World Cup and he led Stoke to the Premiership and FA Cup double at the same time you still couldn't find a good word for him. Your prejudice against him is frankly ridiculous.”
by stonemel
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 6:22PM
“Stoke have not only got the best draw in this round of the FA Cup, they are also going to be playing on a pitch which is narrow and compact I believe which should suit our style of play down to the ground.
I believe Stoke should be favorites to knock out Valencia and they have a great chance to get to Wembley again. They will not finish in the top ten of the league.
Now some people will exalt Pulis if he gets us to Wembley and we beat Valencia. Sorry but I would say well done to him but not with a great deal of conviction because most of what is said by Soccerfoot is correct and the success in these knockout competitions are not pointers to amazing progress with the team just a good period of games going to form.”
by grahamegreen
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 5:14PM
“While we're fretting about Crawley being the 'sandwich filler' between the Valencia Euro ties, they will have a similar problem in La Liga (19th Feb) against Barcelona!
They have a two leg semi-final in the Copa Del Rey (1st & 8th Feb) against Barcelona!
So, Valencia maybe suffering from the effects of ball possession denial, or just blown away in the culture shock of facing Stoke.
We have definite chances of progress with a positive attitude.”
by soccerfoot11
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 2:44PM
“oh yeah, jayenne, i forgot to ask, that name soccertit you use so frequently. did you come up with it all by yourself or did you need an 8yr old to help you ??
looking forward to your next insightful and of course, always mature comment !!”
by algy7
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:46AM
“What a shame, all the gods must be ganging up on stoke, forcing them to play a league 2 team AWAY from home. My heart bleeds for them, and if I had piles I'd bleed somewhere else.
Why doesn't Tony Clueless grow up.”
by Davejjohnson
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 8:11AM
“And I Soccerfoot cannot understand why certain so called Stoke fans complain every day about everything Stoke and TP do. If my glasses are Rose coloured then yours are the colour of a t u r d.”
by mattyformore
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 7:37AM
“just listen to that nerd Potterspeil "sandwiched between two enormous games....." doesn't this 'educated twit' get you down.”
by Jayenne
Monday, January 30 2012, 10:56PM
“Yeah if you consider berating a racist something that shouldnt be done. *****”
by soccerfoot11
Monday, January 30 2012, 10:28PM
“and johnson ?? what if we dont ???
I just cannot fathom why some people claim its ok to glad hand every single thing Pulis and his team do and think the world is wonderful through their rose coloured glasses, but they dont think its ok for someone to show concern, or complain about things when they are not going right. And, when you do, its ok for them to abuse those that dont wear such glasses and give the opposite opnion on here !!
I had to laugh the other day, i went on the news portion of this site (as i tend to do to keep up with happenings in and around Stoke every now and then) and reading some news article, and there was jayenne berating someone for saying something he didnt like on that side to ! you have to give it to that loser, he is an equal opportunity abuser !
too funny !”