Tony Pulis: Stoke City

#1 finnan3

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Posted 13 April 2011 - 05:55 PM

I was wondering has anyone came up with a Stoke City philosophy the way they play under Tony Pulis.

#2 Xulu

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Posted 14 April 2011 - 01:26 AM

Well, I'm probably a bit biased as an Arsenal supporter, but from all I have seen Stoke play one of the most direct and physical games in the EPL. (Disclaimer: I do think that football has a place for teams like Stoke, even if they are not pretty to watch because they add diversity to the styles of play. I would personally love to see Stoke play Barca in a two-legged affair with EPL and LL refs.)

From what I understand about Stoke, you could come up with something along these lines:

GK: Goalkeeper
DL/R: Full Back (Auto)
DC: Limited Defender (D)
ML/R: Winger (A)
MCl/R - DMCl/R: Ball Winning Midfielder - Defensive Midfielder (S/D)
STCl/R: Target Man - Poacher - Deep Lying Forward - Defensive Forward (Pick two, one A one S)

Very Rigid Philosophy
More Direct Passing
More Disciplined Freedom
More Aggressive Tackling
Float Crosses
Stick to Position Roaming

#3 finnan3

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Posted 15 April 2011 - 05:23 PM

Thanks for the reply but I need a bit more in-depth behind that if possible. Here is what I have came up with so far:

PASSING - Very Direct
CREATE FREEDOM - More Disciplined
CLOSING DOWN - Press More
TACKLING - More Aggressive
MARKING - Man
CROSSING - Float Crosses
ROAMING - Stick to Position

GK: Begović
DR: Wilson - FULL BACK (Auto)
DL: Higginbotham - FULL BACK (Auto)
DC: Shawcross - CENTRE BACK - (Defend)
DC: Huth - CENTRE BACK - (Defend)
MR: Pennant - WINGER - (Attack)
ML: Etherington - WINGER - (Attack)
MC: Whelan - BOX-TO-BOX MIDFIELDER - (Support)
MC: Delap - BALL-WINNING MIDFIELDER - (Defend)
ST: Walters - DEFENSIVE FORWARD - (Support)
ST: Jones - TARGET MAN - (Attack)

#4 Xulu

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Posted 16 April 2011 - 12:54 AM

What specifically more are you looking for?

I think what you have listed is solid for a representation of Stoke, although I cannot comment on the specific players per se.

#5 finnan3

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Posted 16 April 2011 - 10:42 PM

Sorry! I should have explained it a bit more.

Im basically looking at what Pulis looks for in his side Im guessing Height is the main one and I expect them to be strong if not Brave and and the defense is generally hard to break down so I would expect he would have defenders who are Fairly Determined/Determined or Resolute.

#6 Novox

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Posted 17 April 2011 - 05:29 AM

From what I've seen, its all about work ethic and team work.
In FM terms, that would be work rate, team work, determination and bravery.

Here's a couple links for a quick read on thoughts of others and an interview with him. Might help.

http://www.footytube...t_relart_bottom

http://www.skysports...6875719,00.html

http://www.behindthe...post.com/?p=345