Stoke City FC

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• Manager:Tony Pulis

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Pulis: Fresh faces are vital

04 Jan 2009 - 10:26:03

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Stoke City boss Tony Pulis claimed it is "vital" he signs some new players following their shock FA Cup defeat to Hartlepool United.

The Potters fell at the first hurdle after losing 2-0 to the League One side in Saturday's third round encounter at Victoria Park.

Pulis named a strong line-up for the trip to the north-east and was left fuming at the level of performance his players produced.

"It's not important we get some players in, it is vital," he told the club's official website.

"It needs freshening up a little bit and hopefully we can get a few players in who have the quality to push us on.

"We are quite close with a couple and hopefully we get a little bit of luck and get the deals done quickly.

"I know what I want and we are working tirelessly trying to get the players here."

Regarding the performance, the Welshman added: "I made changes to the side, but there should have been enough quality and experience to have got us through the tie.

"Once they got their first goal we never looked like we would get back in it.

"That disappoints me because sometimes you need your players to dig in and grind something out, but today that never happened."