Stoke City: Back to basics

by Martin Spinks

TONY Pulis is demanding a stiffer defensive backbone as his players embark on Halloween week aiming to put the frighteners on Sunderland and Arsenal in back-to-back fixtures at the Britannia.

His call comes after seeing his side's defensive resolve wiped away by Robinho's ruthless treble during yesterday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The Stoke boss wants more meanness at the back after his players succumbed to their heaviest defeat yet in the Premier League.

"There was a lot of good to come out of the game," he said "and we have to glean a lot from creating as many chances as we did.

"But we have to be more resilient and stop giving silly goals away ... we are giving too many silly goals away.

"I was pleased with the way we went forward and it looks as though we are going to score goals at the Britannia and away, but we have to be more resolute.

"Their three goals have come from us giving the ball away. We had 56 per cent of the possession, and that against a good passing team, but if you switch off they will punish you at this level."

Robinho's solitary first-half goal left Stoke poised for a possible assault on their narrow deficit in the second half, but further strikes from the £30m Brazilian soon put the game to bed.

"I was disappointed to come in one down at half-time," Pulis continued. "They had a couple of efforts, but apart from that they didn't have a shot and we had a couple of chances.

"The save he (Joe Hart) made off Ricardo Fuller first half was a top, top save.

"At half-time we were really positive with them and told them to just take their opportunities because they would come again. But then we gave a poor second goal away straight after half-time. That caught us cold and killed us.

"We'd had the better opportunities and created a lot for an away team, but were two down. That happens against top teams. Then we were chasing the game and against Man City, with the quality they've got, it's very difficult.

"We are disappointed we haven't got anything out of a game we feel we have contributed to. We'd now like to play badly and win a couple of games."

Pulis demoted striker Dave Kitson to the bench for the first time since his record £5.5m move in the summer, but hopes the experience will help him get back on track in search of that first Stoke goal.

"We have a three-game week and the forwards at this club work hard," he explained. "I also thought Ricardo (Fuller) and Mama (Sidibe) worked well in the last half-hour against Tottenham.

"Dave came on, looked bright and was unlucky with a great header straight at the keeper. It was a great header, but unfortunately the keeper has made the save. He's doing everything else (bar score)."

Stoke, who remain third bottom, entertain Sunderland on Wednesday and Arsenal on Saturday.

Pulis added: "We now have two tough games, but they are great games and we are a tough nut at our place in front of our fans."