Stoke City: Tony Pulis reveals his Wembley ambition in FA Cup
TONY Pulis has owned up to being secretly envious of Dave Jones ahead of their Anglo-Welsh FA Cup confrontation at the Britannia Stadium today (3pm).
Pulis says he would love to emulate Jones by leading a team out for an FA Cup Final at Wembley – and preferably Stoke – before he retires.
Jones lived the dream with Cardiff three seasons ago, and Pulis says the Wembley experience is one he has always craved.
"Yeah, it's there," says the Stoke manager. "There comes a time when you would love to do that.
"You look at what other managers have done and you want to do it, for your supporters as well.
"I was lucky enough to go to Wembley with Gillingham 11 years ago in the play-offs, but a Wembley cup final is something else."
Pulis admits the Premier League remains a priority for Stoke, but denies he is taking today's tie lightly – especially with his Welsh roots.
"If we go out in a reserve game and play Tom, Dick and Harry, I want to win," he stressed.
"Newport was really my club as a youngster and most Saturdays and Sundays I was playing football, but if I had the chance I loved going to watch Cardiff.
"But it will be a tough game for us because Cardiff have nothing to lose and all the pressure is on us."
Fans can pay on the gate today.
STOKE'S youth team were beaten 1-0 at home by Manchester City yesterday in their first Academy League fixture of 2011.
5 Comments
by Ian, Burslem
Monday, January 10 2011, 8:27AM
“Bob how can you knock stoke style of play, I av watch vale a few times mate and the word awfull comes to mind.”
by Bob, Boslem
Sunday, January 09 2011, 3:57PM
“Stokie Dave, I 've never been north of Hanley! Just a sad City supporter of 65 years! I have waited all these years to see the idlest footballer in my life and it had to be at the Brit and cost £8m.
Bruce must be laughing his head off, especially when he thinks back to Bent's refusal to come to Stoke. Trust City to get the worst of the bargain.”
by gb, Shropshire
Sunday, January 09 2011, 12:48PM
“I dont think Tony will be walking Wembley this year if plays this team at Cardiff.Stoke looked 2nd rate to a championship side .”
by stokie dave, stoke on trent
Saturday, January 08 2011, 5:33PM
“shut it bob and get back to sweeping the bycars..what was the score at burnley today by the way???..enough said i think.....”
by Bob, Boslem
Saturday, January 08 2011, 5:20PM
“I hope Pulis never realises his "DREAM". His brand of football is not fit to grace the Wembley Turf let alone "entertain" the whole of the footballing world.So "dream on"Tony and share it with Big Mama!”