Pulis appreciates Stoke respect

By Brian Lofrumento | 12th March 2010

Pulis appreciates Stoke respect | read this item

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Stoke City are enjoying their finest season in the Premier League so far, and boss Tony Pulis is more than pleased with the amount of respect that him and his side have earned this year. The Potters currently sit in 11th place on 35 points with ten games to go, and Pulis can sense the side closing in on the magic tally of 40 points.

“I think we have been accepted more this year after staying up. People have respected us more as a club and a team,” said the manager.

“I don’t think we have ever been spoken of as a team that is going to get relegated after the first 10 games of the season.

“We have made progress. We are a better team than we were last year. Results prove that especially away from home.

“We want to get to 40 points and then beat 45, our total last year. Then I will be doing somersaults.

“It has been a massive learning curve for me and also for the players accepting that it is a squad game and being part of a group.

“It is not just the 11 that are picked. It is the 18-19 players who get you through a season. That is becoming more and more evident.”

The pursuit of 40 points continues at home tomorrow as Stoke take on a tricky Aston Villa side. Pulis, meanwhile, has immense respect for everyone involved with the Villans.

“I would pay to watch Villa as they are a real exciting team. They are as good an attacking side as I have seen for a long time.

“Villa have so much pace, they can outplay you. They have all the tools in the bag.

“I have a lot of time for Martin. Some managers moan and groan when things are not going well. He never does, he gets on with it.

“He is gracious in victory and defeat. He has good quality about him.”