THAT'S THE SPIRIT WE WANT, SAYS PULIS

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from sentinel

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis says he has never known a greater bond between the club and its supporters during his four years in the Potteries.

He believes supporters now appear to truly trust the ambition and methods of the club since he and chairman Peter Coates linked up 18 months ago.

"I really believe there is now a greater trust between the club and its supporters than we've seen for a very long time, certainly in my time here.



"I think the vast majority of our fans now appreciate that we have a chairman genuinely wanting to push on, but in a manner that won't threaten or harm the club's long-term interests."

Pulis himself has heard his name acclaimed from the stands in recent matches after piloting the team to third in the Championship - a far cry from some of the criticism meted out by City fans as recently as the home victory over today's opponents Plymouth in late September.

He insists that, despite the narrow failure to make last May's play-offs, club and fans alike should look back with pride at the progress made during 2007.

"When people read about the club buying its own stadium and being in the process of purchasing its own training ground," adds Pulis, "they realise something serious and substantial is taking place at Stoke City.

"I believe the reputation of this club in the wider world advanced again during 2007.

"I think it's fair to say that before Peter's return last year we were always thought of as a bottom half team in the Championship.

"But we've since established ourselves as a top-10 club in the eyes of the wider world ... and are obviously hoping to improve on even that come the end of the season."

Stoke gathered an impressive 71 points from 44 league games in 2007 before today after maintaining play-off form over the whole year.

"Although it doesn't actually count for anything," said Pulis, "I think that statistic is still something we can all be proud of.

"The aim now, of course, is to translate that kind of form over a season, not just a calendar year."