Stoke

[dom9]

Thoughts?

I can't stand them personanlly, well, more Tony Pulis. Another exponent of anti-football. Really gets under my skin, but I have to grudgingly admit that he is doing pretty well. Big shame.

I was just reading this article, and the bit in bold got on my nerves. What is he on about?:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16243366.stm

Manager Tony Pulis has asked as many Stoke City fans as possible to travel to the away leg of their Europa League tie against Spanish giants Valencia.

The Potters play the second leg at the Mestalla on 23 February.

"Everybody's feeling the squeeze at the moment, Christmas is coming, but after that they've got eight or nine weeks to save up," Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Let's take as many as we can and show them what a proper English club is like when their supporters travel."

After defeating Hajduk Split and FC Thun in the qualifying rounds, Stoke came through a difficult group and guaranteed a place in the knockout stages with a game to spare.

The 3-1 loss in Turkey against Besiktas is the Potters' only defeat in 10 matches in the Europa League so far this season.

Stoke will be at home in the first leg of their tie against the former UEFA Cup winners and Champions League finalists, although Pulis believes playing at the Britannia Stadium first could work to his side's advantage.

"It gives us a great chance to see what they're all about," added Pulis, who guided his side to a fourth consecutive Premier League victory at Wolves on Saturday.

"Hopefully, if we can get a result, we can go over there and dig in. We're good at digging in."

[Gibbo]

I don't think its a dig at anyone? Think he is just saying good things about English supporters.

Not a fan of Pulis either though.

[dom9]

The use of the word 'proper' to me seemed to belittle the clubs with frankly more of a tradition and history than Stoke. I found it rude. Maybe I read too much into it.

He's still only a small step above Hodgson imo.

[dww]

I actually quite like Pullis. I'm not sure how much of his style of play is pragmatism or openly chosen but I'd rather teams like Stoke with a distinct identity than something like the bland nothingness of Villa at the minute.

[badpiggy]

Isn't Rafa a good buddy of his?

[Fosterbloke]

Ah don't be so precious. He's rightfully proud of his team's achievements this season.

Hats off to them even if they do play **** house football. At least it's their brand and they're sticking to it no matter who they play!

[dww]

Isn't Rafa a good buddy of his?

He certainly went to watch them train earlier in the season. Not sure how great friends that makes them (IIRC Rafa went to see Man U train earlier in his career and he doesn't seem to be great friends with Mr Ferguson).

[dom9]

Ah don't be so precious. He's rightfully proud of his team's achievements this season.

Hats off to them even if they do play **** house football. At least it's their brand and they're sticking to it no matter who they play!

Hodgson get's slated for consistently playing the same sort of (anti) football. And Pulis is only 6 points ahead of Hodgson after all.

[Darth Marty]

I dont get this anti football issue. Football is all about getting the ball into the opponents net by any means possible, legally like. I couldnt give a **** if its hoof hoof goal football or not. Stoke are doing very well by their own standards & they deserve whatever credit comes their way, as does Pulis.

Obviously my preference is to watch nice, Arsenal style football but if someone guaranteed me 35 1-0 wins all coming from long balls id take it every single day.

[dom9]

Fair enough, I can't get past the seeming double standards iro Hodgson.

And that is from somebody (me) for whom Wimbledon were the second team.

[Chris]

Good lad is Pulis, has had a couple of bad arse licking episodes with Ferguson but always spoke well of Rafa (and Lucas) when the hate was in full flow.

And anyone who head butts James Beattie is alright by me.

[Fosterbloke]

Hodgson get's slated for consistently playing the same sort of (anti) football. And Pulis is only 6 points ahead of Hodgson after all.

Yeah but Hodgson is a self inflated cunt that thinks himself several stations above his calling which is a hack at best.

I don't think Pulis has ever publicly declared delusions of grandeur on the scale of "37 years of excellence" Bodgson.

[Chris]

Fair enough, I can't get past the seeming double standards iro Hodgson.

And that is from somebody (me) for whom Wimbledon were the second team.

There is no double standards, Hodgson was our manager and helped wreck the club. Pulis hasnt.

[dom9]

There is no double standards, Hodgson was our manager and helped wreck the club. Pulis hasnt.

A number of our fans were anti-Hodgson before he was appointed.

I would not want Pulis anywhere near our club in much the same way.

[Chris]

A number of our fans were anti-Hodgson before he was appointed.

I would not want Pulis anywhere near our club in much the same way.

Indeed, nor would I, just think you are imagining these so called double standards, theres more criticism of Pulis' football in this thread than praise!