Pulis full of praise for they players

Last updated : 06 February 2005 By Rob Stanway

Pulis said: "Gerry's been here just over 18 months and he's been fantastic.

"He can't run, he's an old-fashioned player and because he's like that you look at him and think that he's going to struggle against two quick strikers that have got the best goalscoring record in the league (Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts).

"But he's a warrior and he enjoys the battle. He doesn't enjoy the pretend stuff in training - he wants to be out there in the middle and he enjoys the game."

Pulis continued: "We've got a great group of lads who work very hard. We were really stretched but after one or two grumblings of discontent last week, they've gone out there and played for the shirt.

"We lack quality in the final third and that's the difference between us going out there and winning games every week.

"All our forwards were free transfers - and you can look at that right through the side. You look at what we had and we were up against a team that cost an absolute fortune. They battle every week and they always have a go.

"You're just hoping it breaks for your players. They've shown commitment and it's eventually come to fruition and I thought it was a good goal.

"There were six or seven passes and Gifton finished it well,"