|
|
Post by markscfc72 on Jan 5, 2008 10:25:10 GMT
Stoke's strike ace Ricardo Fuller is at the centre of a will-he-won't-he play mystery ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup humdinger against Newcastle at the Britannia Stadium.And manager Tony Pulis might even slip Andy Griffin into his big-match plans if the former favourite signs in time from Derby - and declares himself fit.
Fuller is back in the country after being granted compassionate leave earlier this week to attend his grandmother's funeral back home in Jamaica.
"I'll have a good chat with Ric before deciding if he's up for this one," says Pulis of his 11-goal striker. "He's been through a lot this past week, so it's a case of assessing him both physically and mentally.
"It will be my shout though. Ric will say he wants to play whatever, but I've got to consider the bigger picture."
Pulis is remaining tight-lipped on the signing of Griffin - a recent injury casualty at Derby - but there is an outside chance of the 28-year-old defender being a Stoke player by tomorrow's 6pm kick-off if agreement is reached in time between Stoke, Derby and the player himself.
Pulis's pre-match preparations are also disrupted by injury doubts over the likes of Andy Wilkinson and Rory Delap to leave him admitting: "If you take the top off the team, there's a bit of a softer underbelly."
Pulis sympathises with the label being posted on opposite number Sam Allardyce over his style of play since taking over at Newcastle.
"The problem is you get stereotyped and pigeon-holed as a manager," he complained. "A lot of it is lazy journalism.
"We've gone up to Barnsley recently and been described as just big and strong, but we are fourth top scorers in our division. As managers, we are all in the mud. It's just a case of if you are ankle deep, knee deep or up to your neck in it."
Stoke are anticipating a crowd of well over 20,000 for tomorrow's televised tie after drawing another money-spinner out of the hat.
"We've played Arsenal and Chelsea in the past," added Pulis, "so I've been lucky in pulling some big names out. It's a truly fantastic occasion to be welcoming one of the biggest names in English football to our place - and having the nation watching from home as well.
"I know people are saying there's a lot of pressure on Sam and Newcastle, but they might actually be looking forward to a cup match with a bit of relief.
"People shouldn't forget that the gulf between the Premiership and the Championship is enormous - just look at the three promoted teams at the moment.
"We have got to be absolutely outstanding, Newcastle have got to have an off day and we have to have a bit of luck. Then something could happen. But we know it can in the FA Cup and we'll be giving it our best shot. Our two wide players have got 16 goals between them this season and so we know we've got goals in the team. If we can get a head of steam up, we can cause them problems."
|
|
|
|
Post by OldStokie on Jan 5, 2008 10:35:18 GMT
For the first time ever, Pulis has made me laugh. I thought the 'mud' thing was quite funny.  OS. |
|
|
|
Post by bogus on Jan 5, 2008 10:41:17 GMT
For the first time ever, Pulis has made me laugh. I thought the 'mud' thing was quite funny. OS. I'm sure he was wanting to say "shit" too. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Nick1984 on Jan 5, 2008 12:08:34 GMT
Fuller's back in the country for a reason.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 12:38:21 GMT
Our two wide players have got 16 goals between them this season and so we know we've got goals in the team. If we can get a head of steam up, we can cause them problems." Get it down, get it wide, get it in the box. We'll beat 'em if we do that TP. 'Castle play very narrow, so could well be a bumper day for Lenny and Cresser. We're being talked about or written about everywhere. Been on football focus and on Match of the Day Editors blog; good writeups in Times, Independant, Mail (I know) and a host of others. Been on Sultana and on Central News (no, really!!!!!!!!!) ... Stokies could be forgiven for thinking we're a football club. Gooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrnnnnnnn Stoke And given Ricci has flown halfway around the world, to bury his dear-old Gran, then basically jumped straight back on a plane; there's as much chance of Pulis keeping him off the pitch, as there is my missus getting to watch Songs of Praise instead of the footie on Sunday evening! (Though I think the Griffin thing is pushing it a bit ...) ah |
|
|
|
Post by Pembo on Jan 5, 2008 12:44:45 GMT
Come on Ricardo you know you want too,Stuff em like west brom
|
|
|
|
Post by spitthedog on Jan 5, 2008 14:52:12 GMT
'softer underbelly'
i.e. Anthony Pulis
|
|
