Source: Team_Talk
Pulis: Houllier is a lucky man
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes counterpart Gerard Houllier has been "very fortunate" to inherit an Aston Villa side in good shape.[LNB] The pair will come face-to-face on Monday at the Britannia Stadium for the Frenchman's first match in charge after he was appointed last night.[LNB]Villa have won two and lost one of their opening three matches, all since Martin O'Neill's shock resignation on the eve of the season kicking-off.[LNB]And Pulis believes Houllier, who won a cup treble with Liverpool before eventually leaving in 2004, will benefit from the hard work O'Neill did in assembling the squad.[LNB]"They are a good team. Martin did an amazing job at Villa and I was as surprised as anyone when he left," said Pulis.[LNB]"But Gerard is experienced in the Premier League with Liverpool where he did a smashing job.[LNB]"I think he is walking into a football club which has top players and he has been very fortunate to get a great club.[LNB]"The only time I can remember speaking to Gerard was two years ago at the France Under-21 game in Nottingham and he seemed a nice chap."[LNB]Monday night will be the third time in as many years the Potters have had to contend with the 'new manager' factor.[LNB]In November 2007 Stoke went to Burnley for Owen Coyle's first match in charge and came away with a goalless draw.[LNB]Since then they have witnessed defeats on the occasion of Kevin Keegan's 'second coming' at Newcastle in January 2008 and Roberto Mancini's Manchester City debut on Boxing Day last year.[LNB]Pulis knows it is just a quirk of fate how these things happen but is wary of what effect it can have on players who suddenly have a point to prove to their new boss.[LNB]"It is always tough when a new manager walks in through the door because the players are on their toes and trying to impress the new manager in charge," he added.[LNB]"It has happened to us quite a bit, over the years we've had this changeover a few times, but you have to take it on the chin.[LNB]"But I'm not really worried about Aston Villa, I'm just concerned about this club.[LNB]"Whatever happens outside, happens outside - I can't affect it so why worry about it.[LNB]"If you look at teams too deeply sometimes you can worry your players to death."[LNB]
