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

#7 drevil1969uk

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 01:10 PM

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

#8 MHaaskivi

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Posted 07 November 2012 - 03:53 PM

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.