Pulis pragmatic over scrutiny

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is unconcerned by the criticism aimed at him this season by the club’s supporters.

Pulis has polarised opinion with Stoke fans over the past few months as his side has been dragged into the relegation dogfight.

Back-to-back wins over QPR and Norwich in the past fortnight has eased the pressure on Pulis, who guided Stoke into the top flight in 2008.

The Welshman, though, is unruffled by the flak aimed at him as he prepares to face Sunderland on Monday.

“I understand the nature of human beings and the nature of people in sport,” Pulis told The Sentinel.

“Your football club will ebb and flow, especially this club in the Premier League, so you will get taps on the back and kicks up the backside.

“This is one of the great countries in the world because people can say what they want to say.

“People say you have to educate people, but I don’t see it that way because if they want to moan, then they have a right.

“As a person in a privileged position, which I am at this football club, you have to have broad shoulders and take that criticism.”