Vietnam Daily News

Pulis - A year to remember

Written by Dailynews.vn Friday, 23 December 2011 07:46

Tony Pulis believes 2011 has been one of the best years in the history of Stoke City.

The Potteries side reached an FA Cup final in the summer, losing to Manchester City at Wembley, and have made it through to the last 32 of the Europa League this season.

"If you gave me £240million tomorrow I would go and get a team like Manchester City's. That is not going to happen."
Tony Pulis Quotes of the week

Despite the 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Wednesday night, Stoke are also sit comfortably in a mid-table position in the Premier League table.

Manager Pulis - who took charge for a second time in 2006 and led the club to the top flight two years later - hailed a "great achievement by everybody".

"This has been one of the most successful years in our history," he said.

"We are eighth in the Premier League. We got to an FA Cup semi-final, which we won 5-0. We got to a final and ran Manchester City very close. We got into Europe and qualified for the latter stages and it is our fourth year in the Premier League.

"It has been a remarkable turnaround for the football club and a great achievement by everybody.

"The supporters should be really proud of the players for the commitment they have put in."

Focus

But while some may be revelling in a tremendous 12 months for everyone at the Britannia Stadium, Pulis is focused on the future and continuing the club's progress.

Stoke face Aston Villa on Boxing Day and have a massive European clash with Spanish giants Valencia looming large on the horizon.

"I am the one who looks to the next game," the Welshman said. "That is what you do in management.

"As soon as you take your foot off the pedal the wheels will come off. I cannot afford to do that as we have a tough game against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

"I have never been one to take anything for granted.

"It is a tough job. When you lose a few games, everybody is after you.

"If you gave me £240million tomorrow I would go and get a team like Manchester City's. That is not going to happen.

"We have to build it gradually over a period of time and try to get better every year without being silly with finances because we cannot afford that."

Stoke v Valencia To Qualify: Stoke City 2/1

Source: www1.skysports.com/news/12040/7392166/