Great article but some of the comments at the bottom are embarrassing. "What Stoke have put Arsene Wenger through over the last few years is a total disgrace!" - That is the funniest thing I've ever read http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stevewilson/2011/09/pulis_ensures_stoke_prosper.html? Thank goodness for Stoke City! Not an opinion you would expect too many opposition managers to share, especially after a beating at the Britannia; but really everyone with an interest in English football retaining some of its unique English qualities should be grateful for their achievements over the last three years. Stoke are an old-fashioned football club prospering in the modern game. They have been built brilliantly by a local boy made good in Peter Coates in tandem with Tony Pulis, a manager who retains much of the grit of his South Wales upbringing; a manager who Coates implicitly trusts, has a close friendship with, and a manager who has rewarded both his boss and the club's fans with extraordinary success. The first time I saw Stoke play in the Premier League was in October 2008. They had been in the top flight for just about three months and were at home to Spurs who had made a rotten start to the season under Juande Ramos. It was about to get worse. Tottenham were blitzed by a Stoke performance of unrelenting pace, aggression and power. It was like Torvill and Dean had been sent out in their sequins to take on the Boston Bruins for NHL's Stanley Cup. They were mincemeat. At the time, Stoke were not exactly pretty to watch. Their style of football was compared to Rollerball, the ultra-physical sport of the future in the sci-fi James Caan film. That's not really fair, but they were heavily reliant on the famous Rory Delap throw and the sheer brawn of their central midfield and defence. At the time, the ends justified the means, and the result was that they were never in serious relegation trouble. Three years on and they've still never been anywhere near the mire at the bottom. These days, the commitment of the players remains intense, but the style of football has softened. Stoke now deservedly get plaudits for artistic merit as well as sheer blood, sweat and tears. One thing has not changed though, and that is the single-minded determination of Pulis himself. At the end of last season, Wigan beat Stoke on the final day at the Britannia to stay in the top flight. Not unreasonably, the atmosphere in the tunnel after the game was one of infectious celebration. There were smiles all round as Wigan players and coaches enjoyed the moment to the full. Then, the brooding figure of Pulis emerged from the home dressing room to speak to the Match of the Day cameras and the mood immediately changed. He was not happy. Not only had Stoke lost the FA Cup final the week before, they had just missed out on beating their best Premier League points tally and highest Premier League finish. If he could have cancelled the end of the season and his own holiday plans to get his team in for some extra training I think he would have done. Constant improvement is what Pulis demands, complacency is simply not tolerated. That's why I would never dream of suggesting to him that Stoke's place in the Premier League is safe and his job with it. But I sincerely hope they are.
Many thanks for this Sgt. What a great way to start a Saturday!! Loved the comments, I have a NEW hero the wonderful: Mickysausage - going to get a Tshirt printed, Any idea for the slogan!!
