Pulis On Team Selection and Fans

Last updated : 24 February 2012 By Wes Handerley

And he also insisted that he was proud of both the fans and the players on the night.

Potters fans have been waiting since the 70’s for another taste of Europe and while the team have done much better than the lads back in the day, some fans felt let down with the squad and team that Tony Pulis expected to beat Valencia with.

But the close on 7,000 who were at the stadium to Roar the Potters on did just that leaving any Stoke fan brimming with pride that their team will now be remembered for their amazing support.

The team that took to the field could have been a goal ahead instead of a goal down, just before Valencia scored Stoke had a stone wall free kick appeal turned way right on the edge of the Valencia box. Having got away with that, they went straight down the other end, made Danny Collins look foolish and scored their winning goal.

Pulis told reporters: "They were fantastic and they will remember this. We estimated nearly 7,000 all around the ground and they were brilliant. I really hope in the next few years we can do it again. People in Spain, especially in Valencia, will know Stoke City.

"The team I played today is the team that have played the majority of games in Europe. I don't know what all the fuss is about.

"But negative press sells better than positive press. We're disappointed because it's been such a positive run, such a great adventure for everyone at the football club."