Meet the manager success!

Pulis Signs Autographs

Tony Pulis made it clear that he knew that he was not the first, second or even third choice for the managers post in the eyes of supporters who were critical of his arrival however he said he didn't care about wether he was first or last choice and is very proud that hes got the job at Stoke.

He said he wanted to meet people and knows that it is the fans club.

He pointed out the fact that he had never been relegated as a manager and didn't want to start now and said personally to myself that "I will work my balls off to keep this club in division one".

He said it would be very difficult to push for the playoffs this year and staying up is an achievement. Wages will come down with lots of good players out of work and Stoke will benifit from the drop in wages throughout football.

He said openly that there is no money available at present although he will beg the chairman. He will tell things like they are hense the quote "Being perfectly honest, I don't think we have got a team capable of staying in division one as things stand".

He asked for fans patience and support for the players as confidence blows to certain players (Thomas and Clarke namely) had taken their toll and they were performing below what they are capable of.

Pulis admitted that the icelanders have put alot of money into the club but he will need to have some money to be able to bring some players in, particuarly a leader as the team "are almost too nice".

There have been 6 or 7 training sessions this week, which the players are not used to.

Pulis answers more questions

He does not want to sell his best players ie. James O'Connor and Sergei Shtaniuk. They are looking to extend sergei's contract with Stoke City but it is a complicated matter and Sergei is very ambitious.

The Butler from Reading rumour is definatly untrue. He is close friends with Pardew (Reading Manager) and has watched Butler before, but hasn't spoke to Pardew about signing him as yet.

He said he hasn't seen Petur Marteinsson enough to make a decision.

Rudge thinks Bjarni is still learning and is working hard - He always thought there would be a problem with the Father Son relationship between Gudjon and Bjarni but there hasn't been.

He says players need to mix together more, the icelanders sit with the icelanders, Irish with Irish etc. Wants the team to bond more.

Pulis said that if Stoke stay up this year, players will be available and will want to come. Not because of wages but because of the club in general.

He wants to be able to look every player in the eye walking out of that dressing room before the match and say - winner, winner, winner..etc.

To early to tell where to stregnthen the squad but he will only bring in players if he knows they're better than what we already have. Also if he thinks someone is doing better than a 1st team regular he will drop the regular and be honest and say.

At Gillingham, he said, the team went out, worried opponents, leaving room for them to use when the other team backed off a little. He wants to play forward attacking football, seeing no point in "15 passes in your own half".

He wants a fast surface and ideally a smaller pitch so the opposition can be worked and pressured.

He noticed that the players had never done weights before and wanted to introduce that in general stregnth building. Regular fitness tests, Eat, drink and rest from thursday to saturday. Rest is important and he'd rather them rest than go shopping with their wives.

Rudge told of how back in his days of playing football, the team used to have Steak and Rice Pudding before the match and drink alot. Not keeping themselves in the conditions that players do today adding - things have changed for the better.

Pulis answered another question this time, who has impressed you in training. Peter Hoekstra, he said. He has been working really hard, O'connors attitude is terrific also and they need abit of luck with injurys.


He was also very keen that players should go out in the community when they have free time, coach kids and go to schools etc.

He stressed that the team is the most important aspect of a club. Wether you're playing at a modern stadium or a dump, if you have a good team fans will turn up at that dump to see it. "You need to build your team first, then your infostructure around it" he said.

He was really keen to sign his contract - Terms and Conditions he didnt care about, he just really wanted the job.

Pulis seemed like a really open, honest guy who can bring something to this club. He said he would love to get a win at Grimsby and build from there but it remains to be seen. Pulis wanted the meet the manager and was delighted at the turnout by fans and thanked everyone for coming.

Please note Images and text are copyrighted Stoke City MAD.