Stoke City v Crystal Palace: Jon Walters in right frame of mind for cup replay, says Tony Pulis
TONY Pulis has declared Jon Walters psychologically ship-shape and mentally fit to play in tonight's FA Cup third-round replay against Crystal Palace.
Pulis says Walters has the mental strength to brush aside the trauma of scoring two own goals and missing a penalty during Saturday's 4-0 Premier League defeat by Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium.
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NIGHTMARE: Jon Walters on Saturday.
And the Stoke manager is convinced Walters will grab the ball to try to take the next penalty coming the Potters' way.
"I haven't got any worries about the state of Jon's mind," said Pulis.
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"Not only he is strong, but he saw and heard on Saturday what people round here think of him.
"One of the greatest things for me was the way our supporters backed Jon in the last quarter-of-an-hour, then even after the penalty miss they were still singing his name.
"Jon has earned that kind of support over the last couple of years, but it was still as good a performance as our crowd has put in."
Not that Pulis is guaranteeing Walters a starting place tonight (7.45pm) as he contemplates changes.
"If he doesn't play, it will not be because of what happened on Saturday, that's for sure," said the Stoke boss.
"There will be a few changes, but certainly not wholesale changes, and the team I put out will be one to try and win the game."
Pulis is concerned that his players will be affected by the atmosphere of a half-empty stadium after becoming accustomed to playing in front of full houses home and away in the Premier League.
"It is a concern because it will be something different that the players will have to get used to," he acknowledged.
"I just hope those fans who do come will make enough noise for two people so that it sounds like a full house.
"But the players also know they have to give our fans something to shout about at the same time and that will be our aim."
Thomas Sorensen is set to return in goal following his fine showing in the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park 10 days ago, but Michael Owen may have to settle for a place on the bench after making his full debut in south London.
Ian Holloway's Palace come into the game on the back of a 1-0 loss at Burnley – only their second defeat in 10 games – and are expected to include 22-goal Glenn Murray after he missed the first meeting with Stoke.
Pulis added: "They showed down there what a good team they are.
"They will see this game as an opportunity to put one over on us and we have got to be ready for that."
Tonight's winners host Manchester City in a televised clash on Saturday, January 26.
TICKETS for this evening's game are priced at £20 for adults, £10 for over-65s and £5 for under-17s.
Comments
by Stars-stripes
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 6:29PM
“I stand corrected wintertime, so apologies for that.”
by wintertime
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 8:50AM
“Walters and Pulis do have a faustian pact which sees Walters selected first for the Premier no matter what. However it does not apply to cup games, and Pulis' after-match comments, which I did not know earlier when I wrote first, state as much, stars.”
by defjamrcs
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 7:58AM
“Sorry Stars - but I think Winter's post is correct. Pulis saying that he was going to drop Walters but thought that in view of all the stupid hype about the Chelsea game he opted to let Johnny run it off rather than having it hang over his head.
I couldnt attend the match and was really disappointed to find it wasnt on any streaming service that I could find so I cant possibly comment on performances. According to the news though Kenwyn was the difference. Just goes to show what competition for places can do.
Holloway also gave Walters many plaudits and said that he wished his own fans would stop goading him as it was obviously spuring him on.
Up the Potters.
I bet Soccer/eva/summer/rule is gutted that Walters banged a couple in for us. from his previous posts he'd much rather Stoke lose and his negativity be 'proved right' than for us to win and for him to be shown up (again). What do you have to say now Pottertool?”
by Stars-stripes
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 7:27AM
“What an odd post wintertime everyone knows that Jonny Walters is first on the team sheet.
I haven't seen the paper yet, but wilkinson got taken off early. Couldn't tell if he was injured but he was having a bad game and looked a forlorn figure walking to the changing room.
Then kightly got replaced because he was having a poor game so TP s hand seemed to me to have been forced.
Then on a very cold night with a slippery pitch he committed all his subs with three up front after an hour. In my opinion a very brave decision”
by wintertime
Wednesday, January 16 2013, 5:26AM
“You've got to wonder if Walters would have even made the starting lineup if it hadn't been for his misfortune against Chelsea. I believe Pulis had prepared to pick Owen in Walters' position. But then Pulis probably felt Walters had to exorcise the experience and so Owen went on the bench instead. And then he didn't get on, and with Jones scoring, it seems Pulis made two right decisions, and one wrong. But you've got to feel sorry for Owen, who - lest we forget - doesn't get paid much unless he plays.”
by Potterspeil
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 10:23PM
“Redemption!
Karma restored. Super Johnny Walters.”
by Stars-stripes
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 7:05PM
“An outstanding servant of stoke city football club”
by Pottersruleok
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 6:22PM
“A freak one in a million performance against Liverpool cancelled out by a freak one in a million performance against Chelsea. Walters can now get back to being Walters.”
by Stars-stripes
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 5:39PM
“Looking forward to tonight's game. I hope the team reacts the way I expect and plays like a team tenth in the premier league full of quality players.
Come on you mighty potters”
by DJofTNE
Tuesday, January 15 2013, 5:05PM
“It was a bad day at the office, not a death....mentally fit? Dear me”