Pulis: Mick has done a smashing job

09 April 2010 13:05
Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes his Wolves manager Mick McCarthy is one game away from celebrating survival - but wants to prevent it on Sunday.[LNB] Stoke are now looking forward to a third season of Barclays Premier League football after breaking the 40-point barrier but Pulis still wants to finish this campaign strongly.[LNB]The Potters travel to Molineux on Sunday to face a Wolves side who are also nearing their target of avoiding the drop in their first season back in the top flight.[LNB]Pulis is pleased both he and his friend McCarthy are likely to be managing in the Premier League next season.[LNB]"I think Mick has done a smashing job," Pulis said. "He is a no-nonsense Yorkshireman.[LNB]"He says it how he sees it and I have a lot of time for him.[LNB]"We have texted each other a few times. If one of us beats the big teams we text each other, tap each other on the back.[LNB]"They most probably need one more win and that will be them (safe).[LNB]"It will be a great achievement. Keeping a club up, if you get promoted, is one of the great achievements as a manager.[LNB]"I am sure Mick will enjoy his summer.[LNB]"We think this will be as tough a game as we will get.[LNB]"The crowd will be up for it as they will want to get over the line as quick as they can.[LNB]"It is making sure the attitude of our players is right and that we are up for it."[LNB]Wolves, in 14th with 32 points, will feel they need more than just one win to guarantee safety and that will add spice to what is already likely to be a fiery Staffordshire derby.[LNB]The two clubs enjoy a healthy rivalry and the game will kick off at noon on police advice.[LNB]Yet any hostility between the teams did not prevent Pulis from speaking up for McCarthy over his controversial team selection at Manchester United earlier this season.[LNB]McCarthy incurred the wrath of the Premier League after resting 10 players at Old Trafford in December in preparation for a more winnable game against Burnley.[LNB]Wolves were handed a suspended £25,000 fine for fielding a weakened side and Pulis considered that an over-reaction.[LNB]Pulis said: "I have never known a manager who has put a team out that has not wanted to win, especially Mick McCarthy. He is a very competitive person.[LNB]"Of the team that is playing well now, I think nine of them played at Old Trafford.[LNB]"That just vindicates exactly what Mick was talking about.[LNB]"If you are paying people and you have got professional footballers in your squad, who is to say who is good and who is bad and you can or can't play?[LNB]"For me, I think it was nothing short of disgraceful what they did.[LNB]"Mick has been managing for quite a long time now and has seen the ups and downs. I am pleased they are almost over the line."[LNB]Striker Ricardo Fuller is Stoke's main fitness concern with an ankle injury.[LNB]The Jamaica international has scored in the last two games, victories over West Ham and Hull, but was forced off at half-time in the second of them.[LNB]Pulis added: "We are safe now, but we still desperately want to make sure we finish this year on more points than we did last year.[LNB]"We will need everybody fit and available between now and the end of the season."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk