Stoke v Blackburn - Steve Kean on a new contract and picking up points | Premier League
- 10 years ago
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has never once tried to make their European commitments an excuse for any failings in their domestic form. In truth the honest and straight-talking Pulis doesn't like to make excuses - period.
His refreshing approach has always been to put football into perspective, often pointing to the riches and the pampering of the modern day player as a more than adequate compensation for a punishing schedule.
Perhaps it would be wrong, therefore, to point out that in all four Premier League games immediately following a Europa League group fixture, Stoke have lost, conceding a worrying 14 goals in those matches, while registering only once themselves.
Even more damaging recently has been successive home defeats in a week that hasn't followed a European assignment, with both Newcastle and QPR emerging victorious from the usually unforgiving Britannia Stadium.
With the Europa League off the agenda once again, Stoke have had all week to prepare for the visit of Blackburn and, having slipped to just three points above the drop zone in which Rovers reside, they'll be acutely aware of the importance of trying to win this one.
The visitors, as ever, have had their usual week of off-field intrigue. There was even confirmation that Steve Kean has been given a revised, if not extended contract, by owners who continue to show their faith in him.
Last week's amazing comeback at Wigan equally confirms how committed his players are to salvaging their season and as the joint fifth highest away scorers in the Premier League, perhaps we can expect another pulsating game at the Britannia.
There are, after all, many significant reasons why both these sides could do with winning it.
/football on Youtube brings you the latest football news, transfer rumours and footballing gossip from the English Premier League and European Champions League.
His refreshing approach has always been to put football into perspective, often pointing to the riches and the pampering of the modern day player as a more than adequate compensation for a punishing schedule.
Perhaps it would be wrong, therefore, to point out that in all four Premier League games immediately following a Europa League group fixture, Stoke have lost, conceding a worrying 14 goals in those matches, while registering only once themselves.
Even more damaging recently has been successive home defeats in a week that hasn't followed a European assignment, with both Newcastle and QPR emerging victorious from the usually unforgiving Britannia Stadium.
With the Europa League off the agenda once again, Stoke have had all week to prepare for the visit of Blackburn and, having slipped to just three points above the drop zone in which Rovers reside, they'll be acutely aware of the importance of trying to win this one.
The visitors, as ever, have had their usual week of off-field intrigue. There was even confirmation that Steve Kean has been given a revised, if not extended contract, by owners who continue to show their faith in him.
Last week's amazing comeback at Wigan equally confirms how committed his players are to salvaging their season and as the joint fifth highest away scorers in the Premier League, perhaps we can expect another pulsating game at the Britannia.
There are, after all, many significant reasons why both these sides could do with winning it.
/football on Youtube brings you the latest football news, transfer rumours and footballing gossip from the English Premier League and European Champions League.