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Tony Pulis: Stoke City boss victim of his own success - Lou Macari

By Andy CryerBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments178

Tony Pulis; Stoke City
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis shouts out instructions to his Premier League strugglers

Tony Pulis is becoming a victim of his own success at Stoke City, says former Potters boss Lou Macari.

Pulis's side travel to fellow strugglers QPR on Saturday three points above the relegation zone and with only two wins in their last 17 Premier League games.

"Expectations are much higher now and that is unfair on Tony," said Macari.

"I am surprised the feeling around Stoke has changed and it is because of the success Tony has brought here."

Macari, 63, who had two spells as Stoke manager, believes growing criticism towards Pulis is harsh and takes confidence that Stoke remain in control of their own fate.

"It has been a fantastic journey at Stoke under Tony Pulis, unbelievable really," said Macari. "That journey is not over either as Stoke can still stay up - it is in their own hands.

"Now it seems as though fans expect Stoke to be pushing on and finishing in the top 10.

"The sacking of managers these days is ridiculous but every time one of these changes works, it makes it even more dangerous for managers in work."

Appointed manager for a second time in 2006, Pulis helped Stoke end a 23-year top-flight absence in 2008 before guiding them to 12th-, 11th-, 13th- and 14th-place finishes over their four Premier League campaigns.

Supporters have grown frustrated this season as Stoke failed to progress up the table despite significant summer purchases, with their net spend over the past five seasons reportedly close to £80m.external-link

"I don't think the money they have spent has raised eyebrows in terms of how much they have spent on individual players," said Macari, who took Stoke to the Division Two title in 1993 and to the First Division play-offs during a second spell at the helm in 1996.

"It is big money for Stoke but I don't think it has been that big for the Premier League.

"Every team in the Premier League should set their objectives at the start of the season. At Stoke you should be talking about making sure you don't get involved in relegation. Tony has delivered every season.

"Saturday is QPR's last chance. If they don't win the game they are gone, so Stoke are probably facing QPR at the worst possible time.

"If Stoke win at Loftus Road it would be a big step towards safety."

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178 comments

  • Comment posted by Paul CR, at 08:30 19 Apr 2013

    Remember Charlton? The same thing happened to Curbishley. Charlton fans suddenly thought they were bigger than just being happy with a place in the Premiership and wanted to "push on" under a new manager. Be careful what you wish for!

  • Comment posted by U14277094, at 09:39 19 Apr 2013

    As the photograph clearly demonstrates, this consumate bellyache will not be missed in the PL.

  • Comment posted by dogeared, at 08:34 19 Apr 2013

    Hoooooooooooooooooofff!

  • Comment posted by Grumpy, at 08:32 19 Apr 2013

    You have the beautiful game and then you have Stoke City, masters of the ugly game. Tony Pullis has kept them in the Premiership for a number of years but they have never played with the skill or creativity that should be the aspiration of all clubs playing in the top league. Hopefully this year their thuggish 'survive at any cost' approach won't prevail over a footballing side like Wigan.

  • Comment posted by Balancedguy, at 12:21 19 Apr 2013

    He may be a victim of his own success, but we are victims of his horrible football.

  • Comment posted by U15441008, at 10:22 19 Apr 2013

    Pulis deserves all the flack coming his way. His team is poor, his style of football is poor, and to me he seems like one of those stubborn managers who isn't willing to change things around to get a better result because even though they are playing poor, they haven't tried to adapt their rugby tactics..overall, poor manager

  • Comment posted by U14826669, at 09:44 19 Apr 2013

    Stoke shouldn't look further than near neighbours Wolves, who have done incredibly well since they sacked Mick McCarthy!

  • Comment posted by Andrew, at 08:53 19 Apr 2013

    Is it a coincidence that the first season they struggle is the one where Rory Delap's throw-ins haven't featured?

  • Comment posted by U15545601, at 12:59 19 Apr 2013

    I visited the Britannia a few weeks back with my team, Villa. Having been there several times in previous seasons I was surprised to encounter an uncharacteristically flat atmosphere around the ground in the hours preceding kick-off. It was only after the game started that I realised why; Stoke are absolutely awful. I'd rather put £30 down the drain each week than watch that dross.

  • Comment posted by U15479273, at 12:06 19 Apr 2013

    Well said @108. Paying more to watch Stoke than it costs for certain tickets to watch Barcelona. JOKE! I would rather watch teams in the lower leagues play FOOTBALL than the garbage they serve up an I'm a Wigan fan.

    Teams like Stoke contribute to why England can't keep hold of the ball in International tournaments.

    They need to go down for the benefit of English Football. Sorry but it's true.

  • Comment posted by Leary, at 10:25 19 Apr 2013

    Its all a bit harsh, yes Pulis plays a certain way and its not everyone's cup of tea, but if you watch his setups he is very tactically aware at times, such as when playing Man C or Chels his L/R back play narrow to squeeze the space, playing Man U they engage the wingers to stop the crosses.
    He has done well (I am not a stoke fan either).

  • Comment posted by U15479273, at 10:21 19 Apr 2013

    @40 What are you on about man. "And they cannot afford the wages for the sort of players to play in the way they" They're in the richest League in the world man. Look at any team across Europe, I'm pretty sure no other team outside England would have this 'hoof ball' style.

    Teams in the lower league in England play Football on the deck, it's all about the philosophy the manager instills.

  • Comment posted by Walt78, at 15:41 19 Apr 2013

    157.M1gg1ns

    Referees & officials that do Stoke favours?! I really have heard it all now!

  • Comment posted by Aunty Sue Knows Best, at 14:47 19 Apr 2013

    If Lou thinks Tony "Half-Season" Pulis is a victim of "success", it's no wonder that he cannot get a another job as a manager.

    Stay with MUTV, Lou, and keep taking the pils.

  • Comment posted by Walt78, at 14:45 19 Apr 2013

    154.Martin

    I think you have hot the nail on the head. The problem is not Stoke or their players. The problem is Pulis. He HAS good, creative players at his disposal - Pennant, Shea, Etherington, Adam etc but would rather play his favourite cloggers - Walters, Whitehead, Whelan, Shotton etc & often out of position - never any wonder that they are in trouble. To progress they have to bin Pulis

  • Comment posted by U15479273, at 14:24 19 Apr 2013

    @ Eduard_Strelstov Yes. My beliefs have just been confirmed, you are a certified TROLL. Tom 'Iniesta' Cleverley What planet are u on? I remember u now from months ago saying this.

    Have u ever watched Iniesta play Football? How on earth u can say Tom Cleverley is a similar sort of player, lmao!

    I'm English so I would love it if Tom was like Iniesta but he's just not even close. Ur deluded man!

  • Comment posted by ajaxtreesdown11, at 14:09 19 Apr 2013

    Maybe the likes of Swansea and even Southampton coming up and playing exciting attractive football has put him under even greater pressure.

    Whereas promoted teams typically stuggle, their comparative success has pushed Stoke downward...perhaps Stoke are standing still whilst others get better, as opposed to Stoke being any worse.

  • Comment posted by U15699248, at 13:45 19 Apr 2013

    Don't see how a team that has a net spend of nearly £80 m and fighting to avoid the drop can be defined as punching above their weight.

  • Comment posted by Sir Ad E Noid, at 12:43 19 Apr 2013

    During interviews last weekend, Pulis repeatedly expressed the need for Stoke to 'roll their sleeves up and work harder'. This is the core of the problem, he seems to have forgotten that a bit of quality is needed from time to time.

  • Comment posted by U13960441, at 12:39 19 Apr 2013

    What on earth is Lou Macari talking about? For just about any club at all, 2 wins in 17 is unacceptably poor performance. It's bottom of the table form for half the season. Just how woeful do you have to do to deserve criticism then?

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