Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has defended Tottenham rival Harry Redknapp's approach to the transfer market.

He said: "The players find out these days, whether interest in them is spread all over the newspapers and on the television or not.

"There are too many people involved in transfers these days to keep secrets. Agents and other people get informed and the player himself soon finds out about it. It was nice when deals were done manager to manager, but unfortunately that's gone out of the window. It gets back to the players whatever happens.

"Harry has always done things his way and he knows what buttons to press in his pursuit of players. He's managed to get (Jermain) Defoe and (Wilson) Palacios and those will be two of the best players to move during the window. I think Palacios would get in any side in the country.

"Harry has always liked to bring in his own players and, with (Pascal) Chimbonda and (Carlo) Cudicini going there, he could field close to half a new team against us."