Pulis refuses to feel blue

Pulis: Pleased by performances

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Tony Pulis was in an upbeat mood following Stoke's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

The Potters battled bravely against the Blues, eventually succumbing to a goal in each half from Jose Bosingwa and Nicolas Anelka.

The defeat keeps Stoke in the bottom three, with just one win all season, but Pulis feels his side can be optimistic about what the future may hold.

Mistake

"They're a very good side and pass the ball really well and the second goal was a killer for us," he told Sky Sports.

"We'd really got into the game then and it was a disappointment.

"The second goal was obviously a mistake, but I haven't had a good look at the first. But they can do that to you in all areas and we were aware of that.

"Second half we got back into them, pushed them back, but I have no complaints about the result or the game."

Talisman

Pulis was unable to field powerful front-man Ricardo Fuller from the start at the Britannia Stadium and conceded that the Jamaican ace is a key figure for his side.

"He's come back from Jamaica with a virus and before the game we were hoping to start him but he really felt he might not finish if he had so we left it and brought him on," Pulis added.

"He's a terrific player, he's our talisman really, but we had to accept what's best for him."

Coped

The Stoke boss also had to cope without the services of Rory Delap, and his famed long throws, which Pulis admits was another blow to his side's chances.

"Rory has been a big part of what we have tried to do and we have played a game today without Ricardo or Rory, but we still competed," he said.

"We've played Liverpool (0-0 draw last week) and Chelsea and competed in both and that's important."