I Love Stoke City

STOKE WON’T BUY

Posted on January 11, 2012

English Premier League club Stoke City’s manager Tony Pulis does not expect to be buying during the January transfer window and admitted that there are more chances of players leaving during the transfer window than any new arrivals.

The Potters, who signed five top players in the summer – three of which during the last day of the summer transfer window – are reportedly happy with the squad as it is, but might just sell one or two players to release some cash, if there is need for it. One player who is almost certain to heading for the exit door at the Britannia Stadium is former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Jermaine Pennant, whose indifferent form has failed to impress the manager.

Speaking to the media, Pulis said that he is extremely happy with the players in his squad who have managed to take Stoke City to eighth in the English Premier League and progressed to the knock out rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

The season kicked off with a bang for The Potters who beat both Liverpool and Chelsea at home and managed to draw with the champions Manchester United. Pulis believes that these performances are enough to reinforce his belief that the side is good enough.

However, the manager did admit that some players might have to leave the Britannia Stadium in order to balance the books and went on to add that if any of their long term targets became available in January, then he will definitely think about moving in for the player but that doesn’t seem to be happening. The Stoke City manager also added that there were also some squad players who needed some game time.

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PULIS NOT LOOKING FOR NEW BOYS

Posted on January 11, 2012  in Stoke

Tony Pulis has said that he is not looking to sign a number of players immediately after the opening of the January transfer window.

The transfer window, which opens in the middle of the season, has often been used by clubs is struggling in the bottom end of the table or teams having a number of injury problems.

Stoke City, however, have not had any such issues, as they have been able to make use of the high-profile signings they have made in the summer quite brilliantly. Peter Crouch has become a mainstay of the Stoke City side, while they are set to welcome back Wilson Palacios soon.

Hence, Tony Pulis has said that he will not be making any buys immediately after the start of the window, even though fans are betting on QPR and other ricals to make as many as 8 signings! Stoke are currently in the eighth position in the table, although they did suffer a dip in form during the October months.

As a result, Stoke were sliding fast down the table, but Tony Pulis rescued the side by shifting their focus from the Europa League towards the domestic Premier League. The move paid off greater dividends given that they have been able to achieve qualification to the next stage of the Europa League with the second team.

“We think we have got a decent squad. If people become available who we like, then if we can do something, we will. It won’t be as busy as it has been,” he said. Tony Pulis said referring to the summer transfer window, in which Stoke City were extremely active by signing a number of new players.

This season has been regarded as the one in which Stoke City establish themselves as a proper Premier League team without any threat of relegation, with the Premier league betting exchanges making them favourites to finish in 7th place this year.

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PULIS PRAISES CROUCH

Posted on January 10, 2012  in Stoke

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch is the fittest player in the team it seems, or so the statistics read. The lanky striker has beaten off competition from irrepressible strike partner Jon Walters and has been putting in the hard yards during The Potters’ matches and in terms of running stats; he is far ahead of anyone else on the team, revealed manager Tony Pulis.

The manager went on to add that the recovery rate of Crouch was simply phenomenal and because of the fact that he doesn’t carry too much weight, he will not be losing his fitness anytime soon.

Tony Pulis signed the player from Tottenham Hotspur for a minimal fee at the beginning of the season and the lanky forward has repaid the faith showed in him by the manager by netting 6 times already in the 15 English Premier League games he has featured in for Stoke City. Pulis went on to say that he believes Crouch is extremely happy at the Britannia Stadium and has adapted well – something that has helped him on the pitch as well as off it. And he’s been so impressed with Crouch that he is also looking to bring in another version – in the shape of 6″8 Michael Uchebo.

When asked if England manager Fabio Capello should take the striker to the Euro 2012 in May – June, Pulis stated that it was entirely the England manager’s decision but if he did go, it wouldn’t hurt England’s chances in the tournament. However, in the scenario that he isn’t picked for the squad, Pulis will be glad for him to have some time off from football and return fresh for next season with The Potters.

Pulis, Crouch and Stoke City are currently sitting at eighth in the English Premier League (and according to the latest football odds are likely to finish there) and are looking good to finish in the UEFA Europa League places and earn a place in the competition for the second season in a row, which will be a great achievement for the club.

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