Tuncay Interview

Selling Tuncay was one of the most controversial moves of Tony Pulis’ Stoke career - in a side crying out for a bit of flair and creativity, there was a lot of supporter unrest following the mercurial Turk’s sale. Even now, Tunny’s name is often brought up as we struggle to replace him and the spark he brought to the side.

Tuncay doesn’t often talk to the press, so I was particularly happy that he chose a Stoke fan to speak to for this exclusive interview where he talks about his time in the Potteries and his return to the Premier League.
JW – Welcome back to England! How does it feel to be back in the Premier League?
TS – Thanks very much. Not only it is great to be back in the Premier League but it’s also great to be back in England, too. I spent three and a half years of my life and career here and I’ve always said that England feels like a second home to me now. I love the lifestyle here and have adapted to the culture, weather, food and more so I am really happy to be back.
JW – It wasn’t as long a stay at Stoke as many of us had hoped it would be. Why do you think the move didn’t really work out?
TS – You’re right, it did not last as long as many of us had hoped it would, including myself. In my case, I truly believe that I gave 110% to the club every time I was given a chance to play for Stoke City. However, in football things don't always go according to plan and this is something I think we all need to accept, handle it professionally and move on, just like other issues we face in our lives, and that's what I did.

JW – Pulis plays a very rigid system, and you didn’t have the free role you have enjoyed at previous clubs. Like Gudjohnsen, did you find it hard to adapt?

TS – It's not that. Pulis is a coach who knows that it is a very difficult task to stay in the Premier League and progress does not happen overnight, hence he sticks with what he believes is best for the club and fans so people need to accept this and respect his choices and I have no problem with that.
Having said that, if you look at German or Italian teams, they have been playing very rigid and disciplined systems for years and years but they always manage to accommodate flair in certain positions which brings them success at international level. I think it is really important to combine both, get a team of players who work really hard, follow the coach’s instructions and also integrate a creative player into the team. In some games you just need this additional spark and quality to win you a game to take your team from good to better.

JW – Many of the fans of this club want to see an evolution of the way we play in order to progress. From a player’s perspective, do you feel the club are making any progress in this area?

TS - It is obvious that club is making huge progress. The FA Cup final last season, Europa League this season, and Pulis is happy to spend a little bit more money on the players he likes too. However, whether there will be an evolution of the way Stoke play, it is not a question for me to answer because only Tony Pulis and his staff know what the future plans are and the players he wants to bring in.


YOU CAN READ THE FULL INTERVIEW AT:

http://blogs.soccernet.com/stokecity/archives/2011/09/exclusive_tuncay_interview_1.php

Sorensen praises teammates

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was keen to focus on the efforts of his team-mates after his penalty shoot-out save secured victory for the Potters over Tottenham and a place in the Carling Cup fourth round.
Tuesday night's third-round tie at the Britannia Stadium had finished 0-0 after extra-time, with Sorensen palming a powerful strike by Roman Pavlyuchenko over the bar in the 53rd minute and substitute Jon Walters unable to convert a one-on-one chance for the hosts in the additional half-hour.

The Denmark stopper then proved to be Stoke's hero, pushing away young Spurs debutant Massimo Luongo's spot-kick to seal a 7-6 triumph in the shoot-out - although Sorensen stressed that he did not deserve to take all the credit.
'It's nice to get the plaudits for the save, but it was the other lads who stepped up and put the ball into the back of the net,' Sorensen told www.stokecityfc.com.
'They had the real pressure, because as outfield players you are expected to score.

'For me to make that save was nice and I'm just delighted that we won the game.
'We played nearly two-and-a-half hours of football and we never really looked in danger of losing the game at any point in my opinion.
'We had chances in the first half and in the second half. Jon was unlucky in extra-time when it just rolled the wrong side of the post, but we got there in the end.
'We had to persevere, but we are in that draw and that's all that matters now.'
Both teams were playing their third game in six days due to their Europa League exploits and the draining experience of a 120-minute match followed by penalties was the last thing either manager wanted.
It was a scenario Potters boss Tony Pulis was sure Sir Alex Ferguson - who brings his Manchester United side to the Britannia Stadium for Saturday's early evening Barclays Premier League kick-off - will have been delighted with, and the Welshman has called upon Stoke's fans to back their side to the hilt at the weekend.
'Sir Alex will be rubbing his hands,' Pulis said. 'The only thing I will say is how good our 15,000 supporters were and I hope 28,000 will turn up on Saturday because we really, really need them to get behind the lads.'
Saturday is also when the draw for the last 16 will be made and Pulis is hoping to land another home tie as the Potters look to return to Wembley after last season's FA Cup semi-final and final appearances there.
'We'll take anyone at home, anybody at the Brit,' he said. 'It's the last 16 now, so it gives us a chance again.'
Although the defeat has eased Tottenham's hectic schedule, their manager Harry Redknapp was adamant he took no pleasure in losing.
'You don't want to lose any game, I don't care what game you play,' Redknapp said.
'If I wanted to lose I'd have played the youth team.
'We came here to win and we wanted to stay in the competition - we wanted to go to Wembley.'

Fenerbahce ban men from stadiums

not Stoke related.. but potentially if Besiktas followed suit:

The Turkish football association has come up with a radical solution for tackling hooliganism - by banning men from stadiums.

Teams sanctioned for unruly behaviour by fans are instead only allowed to admit women and children aged under 12 to watch games.

On Tuesday, more than 41,000 women and children attended Fenerbahce's match against Manisaspor in Istanbul.

The move followed violence during a Fenerbahce "friendly" in July.

The Istanbul side was initially told to play two home matches behind closed doors after fans invaded the pitch during a game with the Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk.


But the Turkish authorities later softened their stance and decided to let women and children attend.

Fenerbahce's 1-1 draw with Manisapor kicked off after players from both teams hurled flowers at the fans, while the visitors were greeted with applause instead of the more customary loud jeers.

The home side's captain, Alex de Sousa, said: "This memory will stay with me forever. It's not always that you see so many women and children in one game."

"We have to thank the ladies for coming to support us," his team-mate Joseph Yobo - on loan from Everton - told Lig TV. "It's difficult playing without the fans."

Manisaspor midfielder Omer Aysan agreed: "It was such a fun and pleasant atmosphere."

Before the game, fans were searched by all-women police officers.

Speaking before the match, Yasemin Mercil, a female member of Fenerbahce's executive board, said: "This really is a historic day.

"For the first time in the world, only women and children will watch a game. The women know all the chants. The same anthems, the same chants will be sung."

Stoke Vs. Tottenham preview

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has no fresh injury problems ahead of the game.

Peter Crouch, who did not travel to Kiev last week after missing training, returned to action along with Matthew Etherington (back), Rory Delap (groin) and Marc Wilson (hamstring) in Sunday's 4-0 Premier League drubbing at Sunderland.

There was a start too for defender Jonathan Woodgate, who is not registered for the Potters' Europa League games, in a side which featured eight changes, and it would be no surprise if Pulis shuffled his pack once again ahead of Saturday's home clash with leaders Manchester United.

William Gallas and Sandro could make their first Spurs appearances of the season at Stoke.

Gallas (calf) and Sandro (knee) both picked up their injuries this summer but will play tomorrow if they come through training today.

Tottenham will field a team containing a mix of the youngsters who played in Greece last week and the fringe players, including goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who did not feature against Liverpool yesterday.

Stoke (from): Begovic, Wilson, Huth, Shawcross, Upson, Wilkinson, Whelan, Whitehead, Diao, Etherington, Walters, Jones, Sorensen, Shotton, Arismendi, Woodgate, Pennant, Delap, Crouch, Palacios, Jerome.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Friedel, Cudicini, Bale, Kaboul, Bassong, Gallas, Corluka, Walker, King, Assou-Ekotto, Parker, Huddlestone, Modric, Sandro, Livermore, Townsend, Lennon, Pienaar, Falque, Carroll, Fredericks, Pavlyuchenko, Defoe, Dos Santos, Adebayor, Van der Vaart, Kane.

Pulis demands positive reaction

Tony Pulis has challenged his players to bounce back and "move on" from a black afternoon, after they were trounced 4-0 at Sunderland.

The Potters headed for the north-east after launching their Europa League group stage campaign with a creditable 1-1 draw in Dynamo Kiev, but misfired badly as the Black Cats secured their first win of the season.
City will have little time to reflect on a disappointing day as they begin preparations for Tuesday night's Carling Cup third-round clash with Tottenham, before Saturday's visit of in-form Manchester United to the Britannia Stadium.
Pulis said: "We have had six years of growth, of success at this football club, and it's what we have achieved. We have worked very, very hard to achieve this and we have to embrace and enjoy it.
"We play Tottenham on Tuesday and then we play Manchester United, two magnificent, famous football clubs in England. This is a great era for Stoke City and it's something we have to cope with an enjoy and relish."
He added: "We have been punched on the chin - now we have got to get up and make sure we are ready to go for the next two games.
"You do that in football. It doesn't always run for you. It goes for you sometimes, it doesn't other times, and you have to take it in your stride and move on. Fingers crossed, that's what we will do."

TP let the dogs outg

MATTHEW ETHERINGTON has hailed Stoke City boss Tony Pulis for his golden touch at his “dogs’ home”.

Etherington, 30, admits he was going nowhere fast at previous club West Ham – and is a prime example of how Pulis’ man-management works wonders.

The same goes for fellow wingers Jermaine Pennant, 28, and Jon Walters, 27.

And the Stoke ace is convinced the £22million splashed this summer on Peter Crouch, 30, Wilson Palacios, 27, Jonathan Woodgate, 31, Matthew Upson, 32, and Cameron Jerome, 25, will prove equally good business.

Etherington, a £2m buy in January 2009, said: “They’re brilliant signings and it shows just where this club is going right now.

“Look at Crouchy. He was scoring goals in the San Siro last season. If you’d told the fans here five years ago that we’d be signing a player like him they’d have laughed.

“I think the manager calls this club ‘Battersea Dogs’ Home’, which is one way to put it! It definitely works, though. I’ve had the best two and a half years of my career here.”

Black Cats Away Preview

After drawing in Kiev on Thursday, Stoke will have to pick themselves up and go again today as they face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats signed a variety of new faces in the summer, with the likes of John O'Shea, Wes Brown & David Vaughan all joining their ranks - and optimism was unsurprisingly high ahead of the new season.

However, one of the shocks of the summer came about last week as their star striker Asamoah Gyan departed on loan, and after a poor start to the season which has seen the North East club gain only 2 points from 4 matches, and lose to their fierce rivals Newcastle - things aren't looking so great.

Stoke meanwhile, are flying in both the league and Europe, and with 8 points from our opening 4 matches and an unbeaten record in all competitions - times haven't really been better for Stoke fans.

Despite succumbing to a last-gasp equaliser in Ukraine on Thursday, another terrific defensive performance suggests Sunderland will have their work cut out this afternoon, especially without Asamoah Gyan, but this is football, and it has a funny old habit of coming back and biting you on the backside.

It really would be 'Typical Stoke' if we went there and lost today, but this isn't any ordinary Stoke side, and we must remember this is a team which continues to push the boundaries.

There have already been calls for Steve Bruce's head, and all the pressure will be on the hosts to win the game today and kick-start their season, but when you're in desperate need of a win, it really isn't a very good time to be playing Stoke.

Personally, I think the result in today's game will serve as a good indicator as to whether Stoke will be challenging for the top 8, or hovering around 12th/13th position this year.

Away form clearly needs to be addressed and we've had a couple of good results on the road this season, but Sunderland away is a bit of a step up & we'll see how the lads cope

Tony Pulis should have a job for life after what he's done for Stoke - but Steve Bruce's situation is slightly more tentative, and Pulis has backed the former Manchester United captain :

Pulis said : 'Steve`s a great manager. He`s at a great club and you have difficult times - that`s management, it`s a really difficult job.

"The aspirations of people connected with clubs now is far beyond what most people can achieve but that is the way we live our lives.

"Steve and the club will be fine. He is a strong and competent person who will enjoy the challenge.

"You need time to bed in new players."

Sunderland Team News

Sunderland's Phil Bardsley is suspended after the FA found him guilt y of violent conduct.

John O'Shea has been injured with a calf injury and was sidelined in the defeat against Chelsea last time out - but the former Man United defender should start today.

Stoke City Team News:

Matthew Etherington is still nursing a back injury, whilst Rory Delap (groin) and Marc Wilson (hamstring) missed the Dynamo Kiev match.

All three will have fitness tests prior to the game to determine whether they'll start or not.

Jonathan Woodgate is confident he will be able to return to the squad but there are doubts on whether he will be risked to start.

Peter Crouch didn't travel to Kiev midweek as a precaution, so barring any last minute hitches, he should take his place in the starting line up.

full story available at: http://www.stoke.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=255937

Stoke vs Sunderland Preview

Sunderland are looking to overturn their dreadful home form as Stoke City visit the Stadium of Light this weekend.

The Black Cats have the unwanted record of losing eight of their last nine home games in the Premier League and have not claimed a point on their own turf this season.
Last weekend's defeat to Chelsea has left them in 16th place and they welcome a Stoke side who have yet to lose away this season.
Tony Pulis' team were moments away from a famous win at Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League on Thursday, before conceding a late goal to draw 1-1.
The Potters' impressive record on the road is backed up by conceding just once in their two Premier League away games this season - in a draw against Norwich in August.
They are also the only team to have beaten Liverpool in the current campaign, after Jonathan Walters' penalty handed them a 1-0 win against the Reds last week.
After a poor finish to last season and a worrying start to this campaign, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is coming under pressure but midfielder Craig Gardner says it is 'ridiculous' that his side are being written off.

Team news

Bruce also has to cope without defender Phil Bardsley who has received a four-match ban for an apparent stamp on Chelsea's Juan Mata last week.
However, former Manchester United defender John O'Shea could make a return to the Sunderland squad if he has managed to recover from a calf injury sustained on international duty at the start of September.
The Republic of Ireland international has yet to play at home for his new side this season with his only game being the 0-0 draw at Swansea last month.
The North East club's attacking options have also been reduced with Asamoah Gyan moving on a season-long loan to UAE side Al Ain.
Pulis made eight changes to his Stoke team for the game in the Ukraine and is expected to bring back a number of players for the trip to Sunderland.
Peter Crouch did not travel with the squad and should regain his place, as could Walters and Jonathan Woodgate.
Rory Delap and Matthew Etherington are doubts after picking up injuries against Liverpool last weekend.
There are six former Sunderland players in the Stoke squad, including Danny Higginbotham, Delap, Dean Whitehead, Kenwyne Jones and Thomas Sorensen.

Possible starting XIs:

Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Brown, Bramble, Richardson, Cattermole, Larsson, Colback, Ji Dong-Won, Sessegnon, Bendtner
Stoke: Begovic, Shotton, Huth, Woodgate, Wilson, Pennant, Palacios, Whitehead, Etherington, Crouch, Walters