Pulis ensures Stoke prosper
- 14 Sep 11, 04:10 PM
Thank goodness for Stoke City! Not an opinion you would expect too many opposition managers to share, especially after a beating at the Britannia; but really everyone with an interest in English football retaining some of its unique English qualities should be grateful for their achievements over the last three years.
Stoke are an old-fashioned football club prospering in the modern game. They have been built brilliantly by in tandem with Tony Pulis, a manager who retains much of the grit of his South Wales upbringing; a manager who Coates implicitly trusts, has a close friendship with, and a manager who has rewarded both his boss and the club's fans with extraordinary success.
The first time I saw Stoke play in the Premier League was in October 2008. They had been in the top flight for just about three months and were at home to Spurs who had made a rotten start to the season under Juande Ramos. It was about to get worse.
Tottenham were blitzed by a . It was like Torvill and Dean had been sent out in their sequins to take on the for . They were mincemeat.
