Stoke City: I respect Swansea City's style, says Tony Pulis

TONY Pulis has denied ever being critical about Swansea City ahead of today's contrast in styles at the Britannia Stadium.

Pulis suggested after last February's 2-0 win at the Britannia that Stoke fans wouldn't fancy seeing their players pass square and back like Swansea.

But he insists no offence was meant.

"I might have said we play through the pitch quicker than Swansea," he said.

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"But there's no right or wrong way of playing football. If you have certain strengths and qualities, you play to them.

"I think the problem with certain managers is they come into the game with certain philosophies, but the players they have are not able to do what he wants.

"You look at a squad and play to their strengths because it takes time to push them into playing the way you want.

"But like I say, there's no right or wrong way. We are in the results industry and we have to get results.

"Whether you are Sir Alex or whoever, you need results."

Stoke go into today's game with Pulis calling on City's supporters to stand squarely behind his players as they seek a first win since April 7 – a 2-1 success against Wolves.

He warns there will be pressure on his players because Swansea start as underdogs, but he also believes fans appreciate Stoke's greater quality.

"I think they can see what we are trying to do," he stated. "These things take time, but good players are coming into the club that supporters appreciate.

"If we do have a little bit of a stumble, which you always do over a period of time, they will be there to pick us up."

Meanwhile, Pulis is unlikely to pencil Michael Owen into his starting 11 before Stoke's trip of his old club Manchester United October 20.

The England striker needs more game time from the substitutes' bench, says Pulis, and the United fixture also comes after Owen can undergo two weeks of intensive training during the international break.

"He's still a bit off, but I will certainly try to get him more game time," explained Pulis.

"At the moment, we wouldn't be looking to start him. That's as much for his benefit as ours."

Geoff Cameron again deputises for the suspended Andy Wilkinson at right-back, while Charlie Adam has shaken off the illness affecting his performance at Chelsea last weekend.

"Charlie didn't feel too well and he came to see me at half-time," Pulis explained.

"I don't know if it was a bug or whatever, but he's trained well this week."

STOKE under-18 duo Jack Nardiello and Curtis Strong have been selected by Wales Under-19s, while colleague and skipper Ryan O'Reilly is in Ireland's Under-19 squad. Both nations play three European Championship qualifiers next month.