Source: Daily_Mail
Whelan hits out at Stoke detractors ahead of tough Tottenham test
Stoke's Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan is unhappy with the lack of recognition that the club has received for their recent achievements.
Whelan is in form, having scored an impressive goal against Italy for Ireland a fortnight ago, and he is now relishing the chance to face international team-mate Robbie Keane on Saturday as Stoke look to improve their reputation.
Tony Pulis's side go into Saturday's game at Tottenham in the top half of the Premier League table after last weekend's 2-1 win over West Ham.
Their recent form has kept up the rapid progress that they have shown over the past two years including automatic promotion from the Championship and comfortably staying in the top flight in their debut season.
But, instead of being lauded, Stoke are often castigated for their style of football. Their physicality and reliance on set-pieces has seen them cast as villains - but Whelan thinks they should have praise heaped on them.
'We still feel we are not getting enough credit for how well we have done, but getting results will only change people's minds,' said Whelan, who signed a new four-year contract with the club last month.
'I think people know they are in for a tough game when Stoke arrive in town. We don't get run over too often.
'We have tightened up away from home this season and are looking to get a lot more away wins.
'That (away form) was a talking point last year and we don't want that to happen again. In the last couple of away games, at Bolton and Everton, we might have got two wins with a little more luck.'
Last season's poor away form was obvious to see at White Hart Lane when they leaked three goals inside the opening 20 minutes on the way to a 3-1 defeat.
And Whelan has warned his team-mates their task will be no easier this time round, either.
'If you look at Spurs, the attacking players they have is unbelievable,' he added.
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'They will go out and attack, so you don't want to go out too open and be one or two goals down after 10 or 20 minutes and out of the game.
'We need to frustrate them and then try and take the game to them, just like we did at Everton.'
