Source: Team_Talk
Walters relishing Potters chance
Stoke striker Jon Walters is relishing his second chance in the top flight after working hard to get back in the big time.[LNB] Walters scored his first-ever Premier League goal for Stoke in Saturday's 1-0 win over former club Blackburn.[LNB]The 27-year-old began his career at Rovers before switching to Bolton as a teenager, where he made four top flight appearances under Sam Allardyce before moving on to Hull.[LNB]The 10-club frontman has since had to work his way back to the top flight through the lower leagues and he is determined to make the most of his second chance.[LNB]And Walters, who switched to the Potters from Ipswich in a £2.75m move in the summer, believes an older head should definitely help this time around.[LNB]He told The Sun: "As a youngster, I thought I'd arrived when I was at those sort of clubs. But you don't know what a chance you've been given until you lose it. [LNB]"At that age I didn't look after myself properly. I was going out too much, you know what it's like when you're younger! [LNB]"Sam didn't pull me up about it - when you're a young lad at a club no one really knows what you're doing! [LNB]"Now I'm the complete opposite, I'm a bore and I stay in all the time. I look after myself properly on and off the pitch now - I do things right and I'm reaping the benefits. [LNB]"I changed when I started a family. The whole shift moved from being selfish, to doing everything for my kids and my wife. That's my outlook now. [LNB]"An exciting night now is a visit to the cinema. [LNB]"It's funny how it works out scoring against Blackburn, but I've worked my way back up the leagues and so it was a nice game to get the goal. And there's a mental toughness you get from playing in the lower leagues." [LNB]Walters admits he was perhaps too hasty in deciding to quit Bolton for a permanent move to Hull in 2004.[LNB]He added: "I can understand why Sam let me go. [LNB]"There were a lot of players ahead of me and Bolton needed experienced players then. I ended up going to Hull but maybe I should have stayed at Bolton a bit longer. [LNB]"It's taken a lot of hard work to get back to where I am, but that work certainly doesn't stop now that I'm with Stoke." [LNB]Stoke boss Tony Pulis hailed Walters' attitude since his return to the top flight.[LNB]Pulis said: "Since he walked through the door he's been an absolute dream to work with. [LNB]"There are players out there who can step up a level and Jon's proved that."
