Pulis praises character after West Brom win

Stoke City made it three-successive wins on Saturday (Nov 20) with a superb 3-0 win over Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion.

The match-winning second-half performance included converted penalties from Matthew Etherington and Jon Walters.

Walters rubbed salt into West Brom wounds three minutes into injury time as he shot and then reacted quickest to the rebound.

Speaking after the match, Tony Pulis said he was delighted with his side’s performance.

Tony Pulis

He added: “It is a massive win. We have played better before in some games away from home and not picked up any points so I am pleased.

“They shaded the first-half but as soon as we scored the first goal I could not see anybody else winning it.”

The Potters run is on the back of five successive defeats in the league and cups, but Pulis said this reaction from the players is a sign of good character.

He added: “It is another great result for the players. We have won two local derby’s and beaten Liverpool.

“The players thrive on confidence but we will try and stay as level headed as we can but it is such a tough league.”

Potters head to West Brom in search on third-successive win

Stoke City will be looking to build on an impressive win against Liverpool last weekend when they take on West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns this Saturday, writes Ted Woodward.

Despite a run of five matches without a win Tony Pulis’ side have enjoyed resurgence in with a mid-week victory against Birmingham (Nov 9) and a 2-0 win over Liverpool (Nov 13).

West-Midland rivals West Brom on the other hand have not won in their last five Premier League fixtures – a fact that Tony Pulis was quick to dismiss.

Tony Pulis

Speaking to the clubs official website The Potters boss said: “Albion have had some fantastic results so far, they look much stronger than before and we know that it is going to be an incredibly tough game for us.”

Pulis admitted that his players were excited ahead of the fixture and that the fortunes of the club had greatly changed with the teams last two wins.

He added: “It’s amazing how quickly things can change. It’s only 10 days ago that people were talking about five successive defeats, and it seemed all doom and gloom.

“Now, all the talk is about the possibility of three successive wins and how high we could be in the Premier League come five o’clock on Saturday afternoon.”

Stoke are without any injury worries apart from long-term absentee Mamady Sidibe who is expected to be back in the New Year.

Betting odds for North Staffs football this weekend

Fancy a flutter this weekend? Christopher Finch has a look at some of our sides as they shape up for tomorrow’s matches.

Stoke City travel to the Hawthorns to take on West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, but find themselves second favourites at 13/5, with the Baggies available at 5/4. In a battle of two sides currently sitting mid-table, a 23/10 draw looks a tempting bet.

Will you be in for a good return?

Meanwhile down in League Two, Burton Albion entertain high-flying Bury on Friday night as 11/8 favourites, with the visitors best priced at 17/8. You can get 12/5 on this match finishing level.

Port Vale (6/4) are looking to close the gap on leaders Chesterfield, and welcome fourth-placed Wycombe Wanderers (21/10) to Vale Park. With the home team having drawn five of their last six league matches, that result here is available at 23/10.

Struggling Stafford Rangers are 4/1 outsiders as they take a break from league action with an FA Trophy trip to Blyth Spartans (4/6), with the draw at 3/1.

North Staffs Football encourages responsible betting.