Stoke City: Wembley dream still on, says Pulis
TONY Pulis reckons Stoke City's Wembley dream is still on track after being handed a tricky tie at Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
But he warned that Stoke would have to recapture the spirit that steered them to the final last year if they are to win the 'A50 derby' in three weeks.
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"We wanted a home tie, but if you're going to go away then Derby is a good draw because it's so close," said Pulis.
"Hopefully, we'll take about 5,000 fans with us for what should be a proper cup tie against very good opposition. That place should be rocking on the day.
"Derby are a Premier League club in everything but name, while Nigel Clough has been there a long time and is a fine manager and a fine person. It will be a tough one for us.
"We had a good run last year and for us to be able to do it again would be amazing.
"It would be lovely to taste it again, but let's not get greedy. But if we can win the fourth round, you are only two games from Wembley again."
Stoke were in the fourth round draw after bouncing back from a goal down to see off Gillingham 3-1 on Saturday.
Pulis enjoyed a rapturous reception on his return to Gillingham to make amends for the sniping comments from Gills chairman Paul Scally.
Scally claimed Pulis almost bankrupted Gillingham in their well-publicised court battle a decade ago, but Pulis brushed aside the attacks by stepping on to the pitch before the third-round tie to applaude all corners of the stadium.
"If he wants to say stuff, it's a free world," said Pulis contemptuously.
"You have seen the supporters and what they think of the job I did here for four years. That's all that matters to me. You think as time goes on they will forget, but they never do.
"It's very special to get four sides of the stadium standing up and singing your name, Gillingham fans and our fans. That's something that will always live with me.
"The clubs are more important than individuals... but it's nice to win. The lads have actually given me some stick in there by asking 'which side are you on?'"
He acknowledged Stoke had a fright at 1-0 down, admitting: "In the first 20 they were better than us – and you worry.
"We were slow out of the blocks, but their goal was a sucker punch that livened everybody up.
"But we had to defend well on a tight pitch.
"I don't like singling people out, but I thought Rory Delap was absolutely fantastic and the two centre-halves (Shawcross and Huth) were as well."
More Stoke City stories:
Stoke City: Jerome eyes cup run after negotiating testing clash
Stoke City: Wake-up call helped inspire Potters, says Walters
Stoke City: Potters show class to make it happy return for Pulis
Stoke City fan zone: Tp's selection was major talking point of cup tie







90 Comments
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by Davejjohnson
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 10:01PM
“Serious question, does anyone know what Soccerknob is on about. The boy's off his rocker.”
by Potterspeil
Tuesday, January 17 2012, 7:25PM
“Dunno, but I bet the stocks of tissues in South Carolina got a bit of a hit. Mass debate or what?”
by Davejjohnson
Monday, January 16 2012, 8:42PM
“What the **** is he on about ?”
by soccerfoot11
Monday, January 16 2012, 2:47PM
“speil and johsnon.
You really could NOT have said anything better (especially you speil, wow) than your last 2 comments to prove to me and the world what seriously obsessive, know it all, pompous, pig headed cretins you really are. All this time i have been waiting for the keyboard bullies to say something that would display yourselves as the mindless morons you really are. You finally did it! Good things surely come to those who wait.
Thank you because now I can return to ignoring you as I have absolutely nothing further to do to expose you, you've done it yourselves !!
oh happy days !!!
PS
if you notice, I was the one that gave you positive ratings on your comments ! How could i not ??”
by Davejjohnson
Monday, January 16 2012, 8:26AM
“Nice one Knob, you have confirmed what I think most of us thought. You have never been much of a Stoke fan, you know nothing of their history and you have only taken an interest after we got promoted to the Prem. You haven't followed football but you come on here daily telling us all how it should be done, laughable really. So just who is John Barnes, or Peter Fox for that matter.”
by jpj_cherry
Monday, January 16 2012, 1:45AM
“For those who may be interested
in my previous question re. McGuire and match ball -
well the match ball was intended for the referee in that game
Clive Thomas, it was his last game. You may remember he was famous
for blowing the whistle to end one game during the flight of a corner kick.
Not sure about the ground answers, Boothen End, Butler Street, Stoke End
and Sentinel Stand
The ticket office has got me, always thought it was in Butler St, but i remember John and chris who used to sell the tickets, Chris was very helpful chap
am trying to remember if it was moved into what looked like a corner shop.
Anyway Stoke's draw at Liverpool was welcome by all fans, in spite of Whelan's woeful
passing - I hope they can go to Old Trafford with a positive attitude -
I am sure there are no unhappy fans of Norwich and Swansea - there
football has been like a breath of fresh air”
by Potterspeil
Sunday, January 15 2012, 7:33PM
“Why did you care if a Stoke player got sent off? Why were you in the wilderness for 30 years?
You just shot yourself in the foot 'foot.
I'm embarrassed for you! You are no Stokie.”
by Potterspeil
Sunday, January 15 2012, 7:16PM
“So in other words you are a self proclaimed, internet glory hunter..and this explains why you don't know who John Barnes was. As for my obsession, I prefer to talk to real Stokies who know a million facts, just like me, and are not internet dependent. We were there Knob and you were not and that is what makes it all the more special and why we will always know such more than you!”
by soccerfoot11
Sunday, January 15 2012, 3:19PM
“speil, your obsession with me has become quite disturbing. Why would I care about a sending off of any player at any ground in any game ?? hmm, please tell me
Also, I never knew the name of the street when i was walking down it, again why would i need to. I havent lived in Stoke in 35 years, I didnt keep up with Stoke, mainly because i couldnt except from my family telling me they were awful for 30 of those years. The advancement of the internet in the last 15 years has allowed me to follow them again. However, all i can say is when i did live there, i didnt associate with nerds like you then either, who's only contribution to life is knowing a million useless facts about Stoke City. You boys really, really need to get a life and get out more.”
by Potterspeil
Saturday, January 14 2012, 10:10PM
“Apologies graham. What were we thinking about?
Over to 'foot on the previous question posed. There were only four ends of the old ground so you have a decent chance of getting this one right. Name all four ends and name the street where the old ticket office was in the 70's?”