[finnan3]

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

[Xulu]

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

[finnan3]

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)

[Xulu]

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.

[finnan3]

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.

[Novox]

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

[drevil1969uk]

How have you gotten on with this tactic?

Im trying to crete something similar but its a sam allardyce tactic but cant get the side to play right yet

[MHaaskivi]

If I remember correctly, Stoke deliberately plays on a narrow pitch at home, to compress the field of play and eliminate the advantage quicker wingers might have over their fullbacks. It also helps them with those really long throw ins.

The Premier League puts out a manual at the beginning of the season with all the pitch dimensions and statistics for each of the clubs, I'm sure this can be verified.

[Xulu]

MHaaskivi, on 07 November 2012 - 03:53 PM, said:

If I remember correctly, Stoke deliberately plays on a narrow pitch at home, to compress the field of play and eliminate the advantage quicker wingers might have over their fullbacks. It also helps them with those really long throw ins.

The Premier League puts out a manual at the beginning of the season with all the pitch dimensions and statistics for each of the clubs, I'm sure this can be verified.

Indeed, Stoke played on one of the shortest and narrowest pitches in previous years. The pitch sizes this year have been more standardized, and so Stoke have to make their pitch bigger to accommodate the new rules.

Michael Cox of Zonal Marking put out this lovely article a bit ago with some details on Stoke tactics.