Stoke boss Pulis wants to maintain defensive focus

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis doesn't want his players to lose their defensive steel after a late signing spree of attacking talent.

The Potters boss has brought in forwards Kenwyne Jones, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Jonathan Walters as well as Real Zaragoza and former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant and Portsmouth midfielder Marc Wilson.

They should all be involved in the squad for tonight's visit of Aston Villa.

"We are looking forward to the game," said Pulis.

"Bringing the new players in has given the place a lift, it has given it the bubble it needs, and what we need now is a good performance and a good result.

"We have more options up front and to score goals, which has always been a major worry for us, but we have to make sure we stay nice and tight as a group.

"Over the two seasons of the Premier League we have had 26 clean sheets and we have to work hard to make sure we maintain that but we now have more quality and cutting edge up front.

"With Pennant and Gudjohnsen we are hoping they will give us that. Wilson can also score goals from midfield so we are hoping they will be able to add a bit more to us when we have the ball.

"But we won't play any differently, we will play to win.

"Sometimes the reputation we have for a certain style is unfair but I'm not bringing the players in to change the style or reputation or curry favour with people outside who say we do this or that.

"I will always do it the way I think is right and how it suits this club."

 
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