Pulis - Potters earned respect

No second-season syndrome for Stoke, who near successive survivals

By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 12th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Pulis - Potters earned respect

Pulis: Wants to better last term

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Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes his side are now respected by those around them in the Premier League.

With 35 points on the board and ten games remaining, Stoke are looking comfortable as far as relegation is concerned and are on course to better last season's tally of 45.

The Potters surprised everyone in the division last term as solid home form saw them finish in 12th position, and Pulis believes a similar feat his term has earned the respect of their peers.

"I think we have been accepted more this year after staying up (last year)," said Pulis. "People have respected us more as a club and a team.

"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."

Pulis refuses to believe that he has guided his side to safety again just yet, and will not rest on his laurels until Stoke surpass the 40-point mark - widely regarded as mission accomplished for survival.

"We want to get to 40 points and then beat 45 - our total last year. Then I will be doing somersaults," claimed the Potters boss.

Learning curve

"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."

Stoke host top-four hopefuls Aston Villa at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, a fixture which saw the Potters grab a 3-2 win last year to kick-start their Premier League debut campaign.

Pulis admits to having fond memories of that encounter but is wary of the rapid attacking threat Martin O'Neil's men possess this time around.

"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."