Pulis thrilled to defy doubters

10 May 2009 08:12
Tony Pulis hailed his players for proving their doubters wrong after Stoke secured their place in the Barclays Premier League for another season. A stunner from Liam Lawrence after a close-range strike from Ricardo Fuller fired the Potters to a 2-1 win over struggling Hull at the KC Stadium. The win lifted Pulis' men to 42 points and guaranteed safety in their first season back in the top flight since 1985. "It means everything and to prove a lot of people wrong is nice," Pulis said. "I worked very hard in my career as a player and as a coach, I always get up and try to do my best and that is what we have all tried to do this year." He added: "The players have been smashing in every game we have played. "I'm absolutely delighted. It's been a tough season for us but we have kept going. "We have been battle-hardened. We didn't get off to the best of starts and we have had spells in the season when things have not gone our way. "But the players have always believed in it, I have and the big bonus is that everyone in Stoke-on-Trent has." Stoke's players celebrated their success in front of the fans at full-time and were joined by Pulis. "That was a big 'thank you' to our supporters, who have really galvanised everything and kept everyone together," the Potters boss added.

Source: Eurosport