Stoke City: No change in style for Potters boss Tony Pulis
TONY Pulis has told his star signings to muck in or sit out the action as the countdown begins to their Stoke City debuts, writes Martin Spinks.
And the City boss insists he will not tamper with his style of play just to please the armchair critics outside of the Potteries.
Pulis, who has newcomers Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jermaine Pennant and Marc Wilson at his disposal for Monday's 8pm clash with Aston Villa, says: "I'm not bringing in players to curry favour.
"I will always do it the way I think is right and suits this club and its fans, who want to see a team committed to the club and prepared to run around.
"Eidur and Jermaine have outstanding talent and we think Marc is technically talented as well, but until they work they'll not play.
"The team comes first and they've been told that. They have to throw off their individuality and join the group.
"Marc is the youngest of the three and a bit quieter than Eidur and Jermaine, but it's a good group here and it doesn't take people long to feel at home.
"I'd like to get them involved as quickly as we can, but that won't be to the detriment of the team – and the team we think can beat Aston Villa."
Pulis said particular attention was being paid to Gudjohnsen's fitness, while he also revealed the cloak-and-dagger operation to sign the big Icelander from Monaco.
"Apart from Peter and the Coates family," he said, "I don't think anybody knew.
"It was also helpful that Marc Keller, a player I had at Portsmouth, is director of football at Monaco. I kept ringing and ringing, then it turned for us. Then for 48 hours we had to convince the kid. He's carrying a bit of weight, but that will come off because he's a good professional. He's already shown his quality in training."
Goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has undergone a scan on his injured arm and is taking antibiotics to clear up an infection in time for the Villa fixture.
8 Comments
by stoke oracle, stoke
Saturday, September 11 2010, 5:09PM
“nick. Don't put Pulis on a pedestal .l still think he's playing the wrong tactics. You need to develop a team not try and grind out a draw or a 1-0 win!! Okay...it worked for the last two seasons, but we've done it playing holding football with hardly any attacking threat (apart from throw in's) and we're getting found out and it obviously aint workin this season!
Teams have got wise to Pulis's tactics.
I really hope these new guys will change his thinking.”
by Marcus Maddock, blackpool
Friday, September 10 2010, 4:26PM
“What are some of you talking about!!!
Pulis is 100% spot on, you think big names can walk in to the club and take the places of people like ricardo , walters etc.
Are style of play is fine, not as bad as most think and if you disagree a suggest you dont get down the brit very often, whelan, fuller, tucay, matty, walters all nice carpet stuff from these guys. We just needed more quality and we have that now.
Some fans need to get a grip , we are not worldbeaters, we are a solid, stable, decent mid table team.”
by Paul, Penkhull
Friday, September 10 2010, 3:52PM
“On Monday can we swop managers with Villa, or perhaps he can follow Toshack!”
by Len, Longton
Friday, September 10 2010, 3:50PM
“"Until they work they will not play" what a statement to make! TP has only one strategy, eleven men who attack and defend en mass! Does he appreciate skill? With this attitude Jones will become an £8m failure and follow Kitson and others into the City Hasbeen Club!”
by Bob, Boslem
Friday, September 10 2010, 3:43PM
“Here we go again, control freak Pulis!
Lets hope the new guys don't follow in Tuncay's footsteps and spend half the season on the bench ,,or elsewhere!
Now he has the opportunity to show his managerial skills, if he has any. He cannot continue to hide behind what he thinks the club and the fans deserve.
I just hope Kitson scores a bagfull for Pompey!”
by Nick Soar, Stone
Friday, September 10 2010, 12:57PM
“@ Stoke Oracle
"It doesn't work..."
How can you argue that it doesn't work? It blatantly does as 11th and 12th testify. Where would you like us to finish?”
by stoke oracle, stoke
Friday, September 10 2010, 12:41PM
“Come on Pulis!!
This is the problem...You're expecting forwards to also help in defence for 90 minutes..... It doesn't work!!! That's why we don't score goals. Leave 2 men up front and push up the field, let the defense do their job. You've now got some skill in the side which you're not used to.
If the defense are not good enough replace them. Your tactics at the moment result in negative football and few goals...We should'nt need to hoof it up the middle in hope any more. 2 wingers now should give you more options (if you play em in the right positions)! Anyway, take Tuncay for example. Nobody contributes more than him to a game and he's rewarded by constantly putting him on the bench.
He would fit in well now with these better players.
You've now got the players. Hope you get your act together and select the right ones!!”
by barry, Rode Heath
Friday, September 10 2010, 11:03AM
“Don't need a change in style - just need the players to find the opposition's goal mouth more frequently!”