Pulis: Staying up a ´massive success´

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis insists English Premier League survival would be a ‘massive success’ for the club.

The Welshman has been under pressure this year with his side, who played out a 0-0 draw against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, having won just once in the English Premier League in 2013.

While Pulis said he understood the fans’ frustrations, he believes expectations need to be tapered.

“The basic line is we should never ever get complacent about being in the Premier League,” he said.

“We need another six points (to secure safety) and if we do that, it has been another great season for the club.

“There have been bits of moaning and groaning around the place, but the supporters were fantastic today. They really got behind us. They were fabulous.

“You have to accept if supporters are not happy. They pay their money, but staying in the Premier League every year is a massive success.”

Pulis is eager for his team to collect six more points and reach the 40-point target which usually guarantees survival in the top flight.

West Brom manager Steve Clarke was delighted by his side’s display at Britannia Stadium as they moved to within a point of seventh-placed Liverpool.

“You don’t bully this team. This team is strong mentally and strong physically. They knew what they were coming here for,” Clarke told the club’s website.

“We tried to play and when the game opened up a little in the second half we tried to get it down and tried to pass it.

“But we didn’t really have enough cutting edge to create the chances maybe we needed just to get that goal.

“It was a game of very few chances and probably very little entertainment for the people watching. It was a poor game but a good point.

“Away points are hard to come by in the Premier League. We want to try and improve our away record. We always like to try and win games but sometimes it’s not possible.

“It’s only the fifth game we’ve drawn this season, so we don’t draw very often.”