Pulis rates Tottenham's chances

20 August 2010 16:59
Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes Tottenham have a realistic chance of challenging for the Premier League title this season.[LNB] The Potters play their opening home fixture of the 2010-11 campaign on Saturday against a Spurs side with lofty ambitions after they broke into the top four last term to earn a shot at qualifying for the Champions League.[LNB]Their manager Harry Redknapp has already stated his aim of building on that with a push for the Premier League title and Pulis feels it is achievable with the goalscoring threat Tottenham pose.[LNB]"You look at Tottenham and the quality and depth that they have got, and I heard Harry talking in pre-season about them being title contenders," Pulis said. "I think they have got a great chance, I really do. I just think they have got goals everywhere.[LNB]"If you look at the team, the centre-halves will score off set-plays and they have midfielders - whether it's central players like Tom Huddlestone and Luka Modric, or wide players like Niko Kranjcar and Aaron Lennon - who score goals.[LNB]"And then the four forwards, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe - it's not too bad is it?"[LNB]Stoke will be looking to nullify Tottenham's attack on Saturday after getting their season under way with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Wolves last weekend.[LNB]Among those aiming to make amends against Spurs is midfielder Matthew Etherington, who struggled to establish himself at White Hart Lane during a four-year spell there and hopes to put in an eye-catching performance against his former employers.[LNB]"When you play your old team you look to show them what they have missed," said Etherington, who left the London club in 2003.[LNB]"It was a frustrating time, without a doubt. I went there as a young lad from Peterborough and didn't really get a chance if I'm being honest.[LNB]"At the time of the move I was really, really excited. Simon Davies and I moved from Peterborough and going straight to a Premier League club was massive for us.[LNB]"There were some great players there at the time like David Ginola, some Tottenham legends, and we learned a lot from them.[LNB]"Simon went on and did very well in the first team, but I was in and out.[LNB]"I had a few good games, but things didn't happen for me at the time. But that happens in football and you move on."[LNB]Etherington subsequently enjoyed a more successful period with West Ham before joining Stoke, where he was named player of the season for 2009-10 and has this summer signed a new four-year contract.[LNB]"Things are going really well. I've signed a new four-year deal which is brilliant, and that shows how happy I am here," he said.[LNB]"Hopefully I will carry my form on from last year - that is where I want to go to again, playing really well week in, week out, making assists and scoring goals."

Source: Team_Talk