Potters boss hails United academy

23 October 2010 13:29
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has paid tribute to the Manchester United academy which provided him with his current captain Ryan Shawcross.[LNB] Shawcross, who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford before joining the Potters on loan and then on a permanent basis in the 2007-2008 campaign, faces his old club on Sunday as the skipper of a Premier League side and with last season's call-up to the England squad to his name.[LNB]The 23-year-old is one of several Stoke players who were on United's books at a young age and Pulis feels the quality of their development there has been clear to see.[LNB]"Ryan will enjoy it because he is playing in the Premier League, he is playing for a good club and he will be playing against a great club - and the club that gave him his start," Pulis said.[LNB]"I have to say, you look at the players we have taken who were at Manchester United as young players, and their attitudes are absolutely fantastic.[LNB]"We've got Danny Pugh, Danny Higginbotham and Shawcross and they are absolutely great lads - it is testament to the way Manchester United bring their kids up."[LNB]Although they have pulled off plenty of impressive results in the top flight since their promotion from the Championship just over two years ago, Stoke are yet to earn a point from four encounters with United.[LNB]They go into tomorrow's clash at the Britannia Stadium having failed to score a single goal in any of those games while shipping 12, and Pulis is hoping his side's luck is about to change.[LNB]"The two clubs that we have really not managed to break into have been Chelsea and Manchester United, and over the last two and a half years they have been the leaders in our league," Pulis said.[LNB]"It would be nice if we could do it on Sunday, but I certainly won't be taking anything for granted. We are going to have to have the maximum from everyone - we won't be able to carry a single player.[LNB]"I think we have been closer to Chelsea than we have Manchester United - we just haven't had that little bit of luck, so fingers crossed on Sunday we will get it."[LNB]One thing Pulis is sure of is the vociferous support his team will get from the Stoke fans.[LNB]"Our football club looks forward to all the big games," Pulis said.[LNB]"It's one of the special occasions, one of the special games on our calendar.[LNB]"Every time we play these clubs - Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, the big clubs in the league - then this place rocks, and it will rock on Sunday.[LNB]"It will be a fantastic atmosphere, and we'll give it our best shot."[LNB]Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller will undergo a late fitness test to see if he can play any part.[LNB]Fuller has had problems with a recurring shoulder injury and was rushed to hospital during the 2-1 defeat at Bolton last weekend following an awkward fall.[LNB]Aside from long-term absentee Mamady Sidibe, Pulis has no other injury concerns, but may give a chance to goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after Thomas Sorensen made an error at the Reebok Stadium in the build-up to the hosts' late winner.[LNB]Dean Whitehead picked up his fifth booking of the season in that match and so misses out through suspension.[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk