Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has played down his influence on landing former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch.

There were reports that it was only after meeting Pulis that Crouch decided to leave Tottenham for Stoke.

"I think the biggest thing was getting to the Cup Final and into Europe," he told the Daily Mail. "We felt it gave us a better chance of selling the club to one or two bigger name players.

"At the same time, though, I think there's a respect for what we've done and the way we've done it. When it came to speaking to players like Crouch, Woodgate and Upson, they recognised the fact that we have progressed gradually year after year.

"This place helped as well. We couldn't have brought Crouchy to the training ground two years ago when there were just Portakabins where the car park is now. Now we can show them this and we can tell them they will enjoy it, because the spirit is fantastic here. Everyone gets on well. It's a good place to come to work.

"Signing Crouchy was a real statement of intent, and he's not let us down. He's been absolutely fantastic. All the lads who have come in have been fantastic. On and off the pitch. They've embraced the club, bought into what we're about. It's given everyone a lift because the players who were here already enjoy working with good new players too."