TEAMtalk Insider: Pulis wary of WBA

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has told TEAMtalk's Insider Mark Holmes his players should not expect an easy ride against bottom-of-the table West Brom.

The Potters suffered easily their biggest defeat of the season at Old Trafford last weekend, losing 5-0, and Pulis admits he has had to mend a few 'broken hearts' in the dressing room this weekend.

He is confident his players are now ready to go again, but has warned them not to become complacent against a West Brom side he expects to present a real challenge on Saturday.

He said: "We had to nurse a few broken hearts on Monday and we can't deny the fact that we were all very disappointed with the outcome.

"But we've washed that defeat away during the week and I have no doubt we will put it behind us and get ourselves up for what is a massive game on Saturday.

"It's like a boxer taking a big punch and getting knocked down. The important thing is you get back up again and fight back. I'm sure this bunch of players will do that.

"But if you're complacent and take things for granted then you'll get a kick up the backside so we need to be right on it on Saturday.

"West Brom have got a good team there and we've got to stand up and be ready for them and make sure we get our supporters right behind us."

Stoke have claimed 10 points from their four games against West Brom over the last two seasons but Pulis reckons his opposite number Tony Mowbray will expect to improve on that record at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

And while the Welshman accepts Albion are not as glamourous as the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea who have already visited Stoke this season, he is hopeful that supporters will again turn up in big numbers.

He said: "West Brom is not a club the supporters haven't seen in a long time but it's a vital game for us on Saturday and it's crucial they turn up again and show the same level of support they have been doing.

"Every club in this league would have targeted the Britannia as a place to come and get three points and West Brom will be no different, but that has given us a real togetherness.

"There is a unique siege mentality here and the supporters know they have to do their bit to help us along. They've set the tone of everything we've done this season I just hope they turn up on Saturday and rack it up as loud as they can because it's such an important game for us."

One player that is likely to feel the wrath of the Stoke fans this weekend is Scott Carson, who turned down a move to the club in the summer to join Albion instead.

Pulis bears no grudges towards the England goalkeeper, though, and does not feel he should be targeted by supporters.

"Scott never played for us so I don't think he should get any stick from the fans. At the end of the day he had the opportunity to join us and he went to West Brom. That was his choice.

"But sometimes you miss out on something and then get something better. We signed Thomas Sorensen and we've been delighted with him."

Meanwhile Pulis says he will be delighted if Stoke, West Brom and Hull can all survive this season to prove wrong the critics who suggested all three promoted clubs would go straight back down.

He added: "There is a view that clubs coming up are easy meat and that's not been proven the case this year so long may long continue.

"Us and West Brom have done smashing and Hull have done very well too. I think it would be very good for everyone in football if all three clubs stayed up and there'll be no-one more pleased than me if that happens."