Pulis won't tolerate bad vibes

No room for sour players at the Brittania

By Carla Hilton   Last updated: 1st October 2008

Tony Pulis Middlesbrough v Stoke

Pulis: No room for sour players

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Stoke manager Tony Pulis has told his players they will be 'on their bike' if they bring any negative vibes to the dressing room.

The Potters boss has said he will not stand for any fringe players complaining about being left on the bench

Pulis says midfielder Salif Diao is a shining example of the fact that everyone eventually gets their chance.

Diao has figured in back-to-back fixtures against Liverpool and Chelsea after an initial slow start - proof that persistence pays off when it comes to showing eagerness.

"It's a remarkable achievement for Salif to come back the way he has, but he is a top player," Pulis told the Sentinel.

"He's been outstanding in his last two games," he added.

"It's not only his performance, but his demeanour around the place. He's been absolutely first class.

"Even at the beginning of the season when he was fit and didn't get into the 16 for one of the home games, he always put the team first because he's a smashing kid."

Pulling together

Pulis says he expects all of his players to show the same enthusiasm and determination, saying: "We cannot have people getting despondent.

"We have got to have people trying to pull together, whether or not they are playing.

"If we get one or two who are a little bit sour, we've got to move them on."

The City boss says what works at one club should work at another, as it does with the likes of Chelsea.

"I was speaking to them at Chelsea the other day," he added. "They have fantastic players who are not in the team, but apparently they are so good around the place and so positive about other players."