It was more the day of the Trotters than the Triffics as Stoke snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in a ten minute capitulation from a team who were perhaps thinking more about the beach than holding on for that last 10 minutes. This report will tackle some of the issues through the day and most importantly the aftermath of what was a terribly disappointing day for all associated with the Potters instead of taking it’s usual format.

There's only one Tony Pulis? ©

It was a carnival atmosphere at the Brit, the Reggae Band was in full swing and the sunshine was beating down on an expectant Potteries faithful. The day had been identified by one local fan as ‘Day of the Triffics’ in celebration of all that Tony Pulis had achieved, it was sad to see so few people take part and that as well as the ridiculous post mortem of the match is a clear illustration that for a not so insignificant minority, Tony Pulis simply is not liked or appreciated.

Pulis is often berated for his stubbornness and inability to experiment, the fans were to be surprised by seeing Tuncay play in his favoured position in ‘the hole’ with Kitson playing as the furthermost forward – this gesture and decision by Pulis has seemingly been lost by those so quick to criticise beforehand. He is also criticised for sitting back on a one nil lead and never killing the game off, yet all three substitutions were attacking players, introduced to do exactly that – again, Pulis now being criticised for making the wrong decisions in this respect.

It’s quite simple really, any good results or performances are deemed to be in spite of Pulis and any performances or results that are poor are because of Pulis. As many readers will know, the main Stoke forum has long been split on the subject of the Manager, a lot of people didn’t want him back (nor did they with Coates) and have held an irrational grudge with him regardless of the miracles he has performed when he has the backing of his Chairman. We all remember the awful ‘Binary’ Season, but there was a lot going on behind the scenes then and don’t forget, he kept us up in spite of the Icelandics best attempts to derail us.

When Coates came back, he and Pulis talked of a 3 yr plan to get us to the Premiership, it took us 2yrs. When we got to the Premier League, they spoke of another 3yr plan to establish ourselves, it has taken us 2yrs, with each of those seasons taking in a Cup Quarter Final. The squad we came up with is unrecognisable to that today, this is in the space of 18 months – so much has changed for the better in that time, yet people still aren’t happy and our progression still not great enough.

Pulis can be a stubborn sod, he can infuriate fans with his selections, just as much as Sir Alex or Martin O’Neil can – what we can’t deny is that Pulis is a very, very good Manager and the fact we are so close to bettering last season’s impressive total is testament to that, only 1 other team in the Premier League has done that nearly 15 yrs ago – again, the facts are there for all to see.

Our first season of course was a testing one and we played a very direct game, we still can do but are now mixing our play up more, you simply cannot change things overnight and expect to keep all the good things like shape and discipline, it’s not defensive or offensive, it’s a mix and to do that you need better players, we have bought the likes of Huth, Etherington, Tuncay even, yet people again still want more. Our main problem in our first season was our appalling away form – this year to date has seen us remain the ONLY unbeaten team away in the Premier League with the best away defence over the whole season!!!!

I’m not sure what the Manager needs to do to win over these fans over and above what he has already done? The next step is Europe and we are nowhere near ready for that and anyone that thinks that is a realistic aspiration for us at the moment is delusional. I wrote a similar article back at the start of the season, I said it then and I’ll say it again, if he kept all his best qualities and also changed all the gripes fans have, he would be perfect…he also wouldn’t be Stoke’s Manager. I have a good friend who supports Charlton and I remember his complacency and hearing how Curbishley had taken the team as far as he could, they are one of many examples of fans and boards wishing away what they had and dropping into obscurity.

Pulis has proven people wrong his whole life and I think a lot of hostility comes from people not wanting to admit they were wrong about him, hell one idiot bought 10,000 red cards to protest against him in the season we were promoted – and even worse Promotion and a third season still hasn’t changed his mind. I feel sorry for people like this, people who are so blinded by their hatred and embarrassed by their poor judgement that they can’t hold their hands up and say they were wrong – it’s pathetic.

Tony Pulis will go down as one of, if not the best Stoke Manager we have ever had and in years to come, I know I for one will be able to explain to my son exactly who this new statue at the ground is and how very lucky we were to have him as our Manager and if he can show an ounce of the loyalty, commitment and pride to the club that Pulis has, I will be one proud father.