English Premier League: Tony Pulis and Martinez happy with a draw
Both managers of Stoke City and Wigan were happy with the point that they secured as Wigan and Stoke City played out an eventful draw on Saturday. It was an interesting match as that saw both sides squander various chances to get
the three points that were up for grabs at the DW Stadium. The final score line of 2-2 was an appropriate one in the end as Stoke now look forward to their next league encounter against Blackpool at the Britannia stadium.
Tony Pulis stated, "We mustn't get ahead of ourselves, we mustn't be too glib about picking up points away from home in the Premier League. We're pleased with how we've been doing but it's a tough league. And this year, with the
three clubs that have come up collecting so many points, it's a tougher league to stay in than what it's been for the couple of years we've been in it.”
He was on alert for the Blackpool match as he stated the importance of taking every game as it comes. Tony added, "Blackpool will show that on Saturday. We'll most probably have our toughest game. They've been absolutely superb.
I think Ian has really rolled the underdog tag brilliantly and he's got his players playing with no fear whatsoever.”
Stoke’s manager went on to say, "Because it's Blackpool, people think it's going to be a walk in the park. We'll respect them enormously. Every game I've seen them, they've been well in the game and very unlucky at times not to
get more than what they've got."
Stoke are looking good for a Europa league spot due to their recent form but Pulis is quite aware of his team’s priorities. He said, "The most important thing for this football club is to stay in the Premier League this year. We
had a three-year plan when we got promoted and we said we needed to be in the Premier League for three years for the club to push on. Nothing changes. If we stay in the Premier League, I think we'll have the infrastructure in place for the next generation
of this football club to witness Premier League football."
On the other than, Roberto Martinez, Wigan’s manager said, "We all know the strengths of Hendry Thomas. I thought he had an outstanding game the way he sensed danger, and then he gets in a great position. Nine out of 10 times he's
going to hit the back of the net.”
He added, “That bit of luck is what's getting away from us at the moment but it would have been all too easy to feel sorry for ourselves. The approach in the second half didn't give anyone the impression that we just accept things.
It gives us a great platform for the next fixtures in a critical period for us." Wigan play their next league match against Everton at the Goodison Park in the next round of matches in the English Premier League whereas Stoke face Blackpool at the Bloomfield
Road stadium.
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