TP focused on three-year plan

Despite Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United, the Potteries outfit remain in the top half of the table and well-placed to avoid the annual scrap to avoid dropping back into the Championship.

Although their style of play may not please the purists, Stoke's battling qualities have made their transition from the Championship far less arduous than most encounter.

However, just because they have avoided trouble twice, does not mean Pulis is taking anything for granted. He actually feels this term is the most important of all.

"We have this three-year plan," he said. "We need three years in the Premier League to get a real foothold and enable the club to push on.

"The first year everybody expects you to get relegated, so there is no pressure. Then you have this second-season syndrome. But the third is perhaps more difficult because everyone thinks you are established. It is absolutely vital for this club."

Source: PA

Source: PA