Pulis Looks Set To Appeal Against Huth Red

Last updated : 05 February 2012 By Wes Handerley

The decision by Martin (look at me) Atkinson to send Huth off in the 45th minute of the gave almost certainly handed the Black Cats victory in a game that City, up until then, had matched the Premier League’s in form team.

Tony Pulis was visibly enraged by the appalling decision and has indicated Stoke will appeal against it.

The Potters boss said: "We will see. I think we definitely will."

Pulis criticised Meyler's reaction to the tackle, notably the way he dived over Huth and lay ‘in agony’ on the deck, Pulis believes this is the sort of thing Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor needs to speak to players about.

"I have watched it twice now," Pulis continued: "Robert has committed himself and then pulled out of the challenge, and he hasn't touched the kid at all.

"The disappointing thing for me is - and it has become more ingrained in the game - is the reaction of the player. It is something I think Gordon Taylor and the PFA should really get to grips with.

"The game is difficult enough for the referees because of the pace and tempo at which it is played. Then you get situations when players are falling around and rolling around when they have not even been touched.

"We don't want to take challenges out of the game - we want to be as competitive and fair as we possibly can. But it is creeping into the game, where players I think are going down now with the intention of getting other players booked or even sent off when they have not really been hurt.

"I think it is something we seriously have to look at. For me, when players do that, it is cheating another professional and they are all part of the same union.

"I find that a disease that we should stamp out as quickly as we possibly can."