http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/...m_campaign=Feed: nyt/rss/Sports (NYT > Sports) âThe table never liesâ is a cliché, and frequently subject to scrutiny this early in the season. Six games into the Premier League campaign, there are already a few exceptions to the saying. Newcastle United currently sits in the top four, occupying the final Champions League spot, while Arsenal is in 13th place, nine points behind the joint leaders Manchester United and Manchester City. But while it seems a certainty that both the Magpies and the Gunners will eventually return to their default status, one man and one club appear determined to defy the Premier Leagueâs perceived natural order. Tony Pulis has Stoke City lying only three points off the top four in seventh position, and should the Potters take full advantage of their game in hand over those above them, they will leap ahead of both Tottenham and Liverpool. Pulis has developed his team into such a formidable proposition that even when the Premier League champion, Manchester United, relinquished its perfect start at Stokeâs Britannia Stadium last week, Manager Alex Ferguson seemed relatively content to have escaped Staffordshire with just a point. And far from its current league position deceiving its capabilities, the consensus seems to be that Stoke deserves its seventh-place position, having quickly established itself as a Premier League fixture under Pulis three seasons after gaining promotion to the top division. To put into perspective the full extent of the transformation overseen by Pulis at the club, a British bookmaker, Paddy Power, paid out all bets on Stoke to be relegated after an opening day defeat in its first Premier League season. On Thursday night, Stoke defeated the Turkish side Beskitas, 2-1, in group play in the Europa League â just three years after that defeat to Bolton. So given the success Pulis has enjoyed at the club since he was appointed manager of a floundering Championship side five years ago, guiding the club to promotion within three years as well as taking the Potters to an F.A. Cup final and a place in the Europa League, it would be customary to deduce that he is a man in demand. But thatâs where Pulis is victim of a soccer snobbery common in Europe. As fans, we have been spoiled with attractive soccer over the past few years. Whether itâs the stunning performances of Barcelonaâs golden generation, or the swagger of Spainâs World Cup and European Championship-winning squad, or even the new and improved slick and sleek styles of Man City and Man United, soccer has become a sport for the purists, and it has become universally acceptable to believe that attractive is better. Itâs an attitude that has seen Pulisâs so-called British style of physical and direct soccer rejected by none other than the British themselves. One way to gauge the attitude towards Pulis and his methods would be to consider whether you could imagine the Welshmanâs being offered the managerâs seat at one of the Premier Leagueâs elite clubs. That would be stretch for even the most active of imaginations. Despite what some may have you believe, results are often outweighed by style in terms of managerial reputation, and Pulis is a victim of that attitude, while other benefit from it. Roberto Martinez represents the perfect case study. Martinezâs win percentage over his first two Premier League seasons was 23 percent, while Pulis boasted an impressive 30 percent mark over his first two seasons in the top flight. Yet having led his Wigan side away from relegation with limited resources in two consecutive seasons, finishing 16th in both campaigns, Martinez was offered the chance to replace Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa. Why has Pulis not been offered a similar opportunity? Surely style has to be the only factor standing between him and the chance to prove himself on a bigger stage. Perhaps Pulis should ditch his trademark baseball cap in favor of a Pep Guardiola shirt-and-sweater combination, or maybe an Andres Villas-Boas tailored suit. If his team canât be stylish on the field, maybe Pulis should at least try to be fashionable off it. Maybe then the big clubs will come calling.
What does Pulis have to do indeed? 1. Put out a team in the league AWAY from home that will at least have a go, or give the impression of doing so. 2. Pick people in their proper positions. 3. Buy a creative midfielder. Repeat numbers 1 and 2. 4. Resign
I think his reputation amongst the footballing world is perfect.... I don't think we'll realise what a positive impact he has on both the club and the community until he's gone...... Keep your hat on Tone - It's triffic what you have achieved for us.
Article is both complimentary AND guilty of the criticism its dishing out. To say that Pulis should go to Villa to prove himself on a bigger stage is insulting to stoke. Financially , i think we're one of the more stable clubs in the country and team spirit and work ethic is probably second to none. If Pulis were to impose his disciplined style of play on the likes of the players at Man City or Arsenal he'd end up with a player riot. Balatolli would probably end up in jail.
Some people are never happy. He's done a triffic job, and if he left tomorrow the "Pulis out" brigade would likely regret it in 12 months time. However, you're stuck with him for the forseeable future so would it do too much harm to develop some positivity?
Steve Perfectly summed up Tony Pulis... I don't want him to change as a person, just have more of a go! Away from home but.. Some humble pie here, YA can't fault the guy so far this season. Apart from the Sunderland game where, let's face it. WE WERE CRAP! Defensively anyway. He's got it spot on tactically and the results don't lie.... He can borrow a suit I only used it once when my daughter got married recently. But like me he would look slightly... Overdressed, like you say keep your cap and your head on Tony and let's keep our feet on the ground guys. Last night we were outplayed first half but, at least T.P. realised what was wrong and actually did something about it. And I love that suit he wore last night re the Interveiw after the game.. Well smart T.P. Pulis going to the Villa... I'll keep him here for as long as he wants to be our manager. And Nick, NO I've not hit the bottle this morning, just giving credit where it's due, let's face it Nick.. NONE of us expected to do so well given the fixtures and the number of Europa game we've already played this season ME included.
Jose - have you ANY idea what the meant after the word resign!! If not go back to your dark corner and think about it. Also, my points 1, 2, and 3, I don't think too many people on here would disagree, only YOU and a couple of others would if it had my name attached to it. Nope, never satisfied Jose, not until we play the SAME away as we do at home in the League, then just maybem I will of course admit to be extremely surprised this season, as would be ANYBODY. But a positively do not want Pulis to be manager of my football club, so let's just agree to disagree eh?
Nick I agree with your 1.2.3. it still applies and I was just pointing out that, SO FAR so good. I honestly do think he's trying to be more offensive we tried at Sunderland and Got a little lucky at West Brom but hey, we scored they didn't. Norwich won't comment because I didn't go to the game but I think we were worth a pt. As for our home form so far, faultless IMHO. I still think, Delap isn't good enough TO START every WEEK but I'm not the manager.
Fair do's Potts, of COURSE I am happy, who wouldn't be, satisfied - nope for reason's as said. It just annoys me that a couple of people on here make childish comments namely Jose and it was ME that named him thus and steve-rufc. Boys' if you are reading this - you shouldn't be - school is not out yet, wait until you have had your hot milk, then ignore the comments again, or rather we don't come on here because of that nasty ONB!! Deary me! Put up or shut up
Nick - If that's a dig at me for responding with a different, yet still relevant, view to yourself then first please get my name right and second brush up on your put down skills as you do need to get better at it.
Steve-scfc - nossir not you, WE have agreed to disagree, so NO dig at you. It's the others as mentioned, put down skills indeed - righteo, back to night school!!
I never said I disagreed with points 1-3 Nicky, that's you putting words in my mouth once again and resorting to petty insults to try and an argument (again). My point is that nothing's perfect - TP will make mistakes (and does regularly), but so do many managers. I'm just happy to enjoy these times as much as I can without obsessing over the negative aspects of our club. I'm not saying we should all bury our heads in the sand. However, we're the best we've been for nearly forty years, yet I get the impression that some on here aren't enjoying it anywhere near as much as they could. Now if you don't mind, I'm off to play with my Power Rangers.
Don't mind what you do Jose, however, I honestly thought that LaLa and Tinky Winky would be more your style, I have always envisaged you with a pink handbag. Finally, IF indeed I put words in your mouth, you would talk more sense. Night night, don't let the bed bugs bite
Just makes me wonder fellas if we did lose TP who on earth could follow him ? The guy is dignified in all he does and plays down our chances on all games .. but we all know he plays the game well ... very well ! Whoever came in would be simply be on a hidin to nothin !!!! How do u follow a guy that has taken us from a 12000 club in the champ avoidin relegation to a club brimming with confidence fearing nobody in the Premier league taking points off the likes off Man Utd , Chelsea , Arsenal , Liverpool the list goes on and last but not least an FA Cup Final and now European Football !!!!! No brainer for me fellas none at all . Long may he stay and as we can see when he gets the resourses to build on his squad he does .. money allowing of course so as for this player or that player they will not be long in transferring to SCFC Lets be real fellas its all rosy atm
If we lost Pulis we'd be in the Top 6 every season, pulverising sides home and away and playing swashbuckling, 70's Brazilian-style football. As for who could follow him.... O'Neill's been mentioned a few times on here, so not him. Mark Hughes would probably do a decent job if he wanted it, but how long would he stick around for? My one wish in the next couple of seasons is that we get a few more youngsters coming through and showing promise. Oh, and to sign a bloody left-back! Other than that, as long as Pulis and Coates are at the helm, I think we'll continue to plod along quite nicely.
There's a "Pulis Out!" brigade???? Man alive, what is that all about? I think its bad enough at the Emirates with the "Wenger Out!" brigade, but that is based on some perceived stagnation and a great bunch of our-so called supporters believing we have a right to a trophy every year. What Pulis has achieved is pretty remarkable. He has turned your team into a formidable premier league outfit and your chances of winning something this year - Europa League is where my money would go - are probably better than ours or Spurs.....and some of you want him out??? The world of the football fan is crazy........
Crazy isn't it winifred? We all get frustrated with Pulis. I won't lie, I have doubted Pulis at times this year, mainly during February and early March but the end to the season we had plus the new signings, he has my 100% support again.
