Source: Team_Talk
Pulis: Houllier is a lucky man
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes counterpart Gerard Houllier has been "very fortunate" to inherit an Aston Villa side in good shape. The pair will come face-to-face on Monday at the Britannia Stadium for the Frenchman's first match in charge after he was appointed last night.Villa have won two and lost one of their opening three matches, all since Martin O'Neill's shock resignation on the eve of the season kicking-off.And Pulis believes Houllier, who won a cup treble with Liverpool before eventually leaving in 2004, will benefit from the hard work O'Neill did in assembling the squad."They are a good team. Martin did an amazing job at Villa and I was as surprised as anyone when he left," said Pulis."But Gerard is experienced in the Premier League with Liverpool where he did a smashing job."I think he is walking into a football club which has top players and he has been very fortunate to get a great club."The only time I can remember speaking to Gerard was two years ago at the France Under-21 game in Nottingham and he seemed a nice chap."Monday night will be the third time in as many years the Potters have had to contend with the 'new manager' factor.In November 2007 Stoke went to Burnley for Owen Coyle's first match in charge and came away with a goalless draw.Since then they have witnessed defeats on the occasion of Kevin Keegan's 'second coming' at Newcastle in January 2008 and Roberto Mancini's Manchester City debut on Boxing Day last year.Pulis knows it is just a quirk of fate how these things happen but is wary of what effect it can have on players who suddenly have a point to prove to their new boss."It is always tough when a new manager walks in through the door because the players are on their toes and trying to impress the new manager in charge," he added."It has happened to us quite a bit, over the years we've had this changeover a few times, but you have to take it on the chin."But I'm not really worried about Aston Villa, I'm just concerned about this club."Whatever happens outside, happens outside - I can't affect it so why worry about it."If you look at teams too deeply sometimes you can worry your players to death."