Pulis rules out move for Crouch
Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has ruled out a move to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch.
However, Pulis has admitted that he would like to bring in one or two more fresh faces before the end of the summer transfer window. Crouch has been linked with a number of clubs over the last two weeks even though Spurs have said they do not want to sell him.
The reason there has been no approach from Stoke is probably because the club cannot afford to sign a player of Crouch's stature. Pulis has made no secret of the fact that he wants to strengthen in attack and this seems the most likely reason why Stoke have not acted on the speculation.
It's very important that Stoke bring in another striker before the end of the month to create a little bit of depth in the squad. If they don't then the side could struggle to score goals in the Premier League and this is how survival problems start.
Need another striker
With James Beattie having left the club and new signing Kenwyne Jones currently injured, there is already a strain on the strikers that Stoke City possess.
It is clear the club need an extra body in attack and they could do this in a number of ways. There are ongoing media reports linking the club with a move to sign Cardiff City's Jay Bothroyd now that Cardiff have signed Craig Bellamy on loan from Manchester City.
However, money seems to be the issue once again and this could force Stoke to dip into the loan market in order to create a bit of cover up front. This would give Pulis a little more time to sign the right player because it's vital the club do not panic.
The Stoke boss said: "I think [Cardiff boss] Dave Jones would be delighted you are touting his players around, but we will do our business the way we do our business and that is through the right channels. We were looking at four [signings] before Mama [Sidibe] got injured, but there will be players leaving as well and we are hoping the next 10 days will be a busy 10 days."
Pressure to score
The thing that keeps a club in the Premier League is the ability to score goals and this is something that Stoke must do on a regular basis along with every other club in the division.
This is why it is so important for the team to have cover up front. If the club's current attacking unit pick up another injury then Stoke's attack will be even thinner than it currently is. This will mean throwing in a youngster and this will be easier for Stoke's rivals to defend against.
Pulis added: "Again there's been loads of speculation about loads of players leaving and for people to be moving on to do deals you have to have happy parties, have two clubs agree on deal and the player has to be happy to move."
Betting advice
Tony Pulis is a very shrewd manager and business thinker. This means he will not rush to make a signing if he does not think the player he is signing will help Stoke City.
The club should just about be fine this season but it will be harder for them to stay up than ever before. They are desperately thin in attack and if the club do not bring in anyone else then be a little more cautious when you are backing them to avoid the drop by the end of the season.
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