TONY PULIS has forecast a busy countdown to the transfer deadline . . . after the goalless stalemate with Arsenal highlighted the need to freshen up his Stoke City squad for the Barclays Premier League campaign ahead.
Pulis admitted that he was disappointed with the way his side performed going forward against the Gunners in front of the television cameras and indicated there could be a number of comings and goings over the next few days.
City’s manager pointed to the absence of Matthew Etherington as one key reason for his side lacking balance in attack, with the winger expected to be sidelined until after the forthcoming international break with a hamstring strain.
“While we should never under-estimate taking a point from a game against one of the top sides in Europe, I thought we were disappointing going forward,” stated Pulis in reflecting on the outcome of the first home game of the season.
“We looked unbalanced without Matty on the left hand side and I think Peter, Jon and Jermaine would be the first to hold their hands up and say they weren’t as bright as they can be. It showed that we need to freshen things up.
“We have to do that in a structured way by wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, but hopefully some of our plans will drop into place because the impact made by the new lads we’ve already signed has made a difference.”
Pulis was delighted with the impact made by American international Geoff Cameron on his Premier League debut for the Club, especially as it came little more than 48 hours after he had finally arrived back in the country from the States.
“He did exceptionally well in the circumstances, but we played three matches out in the States recently and we were very impressed with the standard of football,” added Pulis. “There is certainly a market out there and we are hopefully going to be bringing in another Amercian international by completing the signing of Maurice Edu.”
Though City failed to create too many clearcut chances in the Arsenal match as they had to settle for their eighth draw in the last twelve Premier League matches, Pulis was delighted with aspects of his side’s performance against the Gunners.
“The attitude and commitment of the players was first class,” he said. “When we didn’t have the ball and were called upon to defend, I thought they were good.
“People throwing themselves in front of shots, getting behind the ball and defending in numbers; the organisational set-up and discipline was first class.”