How Stoke Are Just Like Barcelona..

[The Swahili Bastardizers]

Pulis Is Just Like Pep

I am suprised it has taken this long for someone on here to blame Tony Pulis for England's failings, yes we all know the lazy sterotypes associated with his side, but 'Talos, AVFC' does seem to miss the point completely. Whatever anyone thinks of Stoke's style, it works, since he returned five years ago the club has progressed at a pace very few can match.

I am sure many may laugh but Stoke do have more in common with Barcelona than most teams do, both are well organised teams, have a winning mentality, play to their strengths and get the best out of their players. In particular two small, talented players (how footballers should be, right?) in Etherington and Pennant, both would be good additions to the England squad and its no coincidence they are both in the best form of their careers under Pulis. Unlike SWP, as Talos quoted, you won't see them run around aimlessly and then give the ball away.

The real problem is not lauding the likes of Pulis, it is lauding the likes of Martinez who has taken Wigan backwards but his team plays in a way considered to be 'the right way'. We reward failure in this country, if it is attractive to the TV viewers. Would anyone be praising Barcelona and Spain if they played the same way but didn't win anything?
Rob (play acting, diving and surrounding the ref is the real anti-football), Shrewsbury


Letter on 365:
www.football365.com/mailbox/7011042/Mails-How-Stoke-Are-Just-Like-Barcelona

[Donkey]

Excellent article.

But we are not like Barcelona, they are like us.