Pulis wary of Southampton threat

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes Southampton will pose his team their toughest test of the busy festive schedule.

Pulis’ men are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run, culminating with an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Boxing Day.

But Pulis is now wary of the squad resting on their laurels after beating such illustrious opponents ahead of the visit of lowly Southampton.

“Southampton will be our toughest game of the week because of the expectation levels following this result,” he told reporters.

“We’ll need everyone to be up for it, players and supporters alike, which is not always easy after a big game.

“We’ll be drumming that into the players over the next couple of days and we need the fans right behind us once again.

“I’m sure that Southampton won’t half fancy their chances in those circumstances and they’ll come here off the back of a good point at Fulham where they were perhaps unlucky not to have won the match in the end.”

Southampton sit a point above the English Premier League drop zone, but Pulis has been impressed with the recent performances of Nigel Adkins’ men.

Although among the favourites to go down, the Welshman has seen many positives which could cause Stoke problems on Saturday.

“I watched them earlier in the season and they played really, really well,” Pulis said. “They move the ball forward quickly and they’ve got goalscorers.

“Southampton have already caused one or two surprises and they have the spirit and commitment which gives them every chance of surviving.”