Although many people may dislike the direct style of football Stoke City play, only a fool would disagree with the fantastic job that Tony Pulis and his backroom staff have done at the Britannia. When Stoke City entered the Premier League, the team consisted of players such as Salif Diao, Seyi Olofinjana and Richard Cresswell.
Immediately Stoke were criticised for the ‘heavy’ style of football they played, suddenly the Premier League didn’t like the idea of a team who didn’t need technical ability to beat you, but simply a well delivered and well planned set piece. Many fans still criticise Stoke’s style of play today. Unfair fully in my view, Tony Pulis identified the Strengths of the players he had, and moulded the style of play in such a way that earned the team results, and ultimately this is what kept the fans happy, but more importantly, the board happy.
As Stoke have solidified their position in the Premier League they have brought in more experienced players that still fit in with the clubs ethos, in the 09-10 season Stoke brought in big German defender Robert Huth, midfielder Dean Whitehead, and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, Whereas deals for Diego Arismendi and Tuncay didn’t go as well as hoped. Nonetheless, Stoke City had another good campaign and finished overall 12th in the Premier League. Another successful campaign at the Britannia.
In the 2010-11 season, Pulis signed Kenywne Jones from Sunderland For 8 million pounds, and also landed the transfer of Ipswich forward, Jonathan Walters. The club had been crying out for a pair of strikers after Matthew Etherington finished as Stoke’s top league goal scorer with 5 the previous season. Also landing Marc Wilson from Portsmouth helped Pulis bolster his current side, as Stoke once again remained in the Premier League.
However, Stoke continued to be criticised for their style of play. Many pundits and fans alike say it wouldn’t look out of place in a rugby match. This took much of the shine off Tony Pulis, who in fact has been working wonders for Stoke ever since he took the job. It makes me question that just because Pulis plays a physical style of football, that bigger clubs will not give him the chance he so rightfully deserves.
If managers such as Roberto Martinez, who I am a big fan of, can be heavily linked with jobs like Liverpool, just because he kept Wigan in the Premier League, then why not Tony Pulis? A manager who didn’t only manage to keep Stoke in the Premier League, but to help them excel.
I know there is a massive emphasis on the passing game now, especially with Spain’s massive success over the last six years, but chairmen have to realise that not every club can play that way. And that taking a risk with a manager like Pulis, who has a proven track record in the Premier League, and has already taken Stoke to the F.A Cup final, could prove to be a lot better than a flashy foreign manager, who has done well in their respective league, but has no credentials to show from the Premier League.
By no means am I saying that Pulis should be linked with every job in the country, but bigger clubs than Stoke City (all due respect) should at least be looking at him when they have a vacancy at the club. His wages would be low enough and I do not believe the compensation at Stoke would be too high, also, he is known for having a brilliant relationship with his chairman something many a board in world football can only dream of having. And I’m sure Tony Pulis and Stoke City will continue to build and maybe even reach newer heights in the Premier League.
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