TONY PULIS has hailed Fulham's remarkable European success story . . . and then warned Stoke City's fans not to get carried away with the idea that they can emulate them in the near future.
Pulis' side will this evening take on a buoyant Fulham who are preparing for the Europa League Final in Hamburg when they will face Liverpool's semi final conquerors Atletico Madrid next week.
Although the Potters have made outstanding progress themselves over the past three seasons, their manager is understandably anxious to ensure that people keep their feet firmly on the floor.
"Our aim now is to ensure that the Club continues to grow and move forward, but we must do it by taking small steps and not by getting carried away with talk of Europe," he commented.
"We have gone from being a Championship club nobody expected to get promoted to a situation where people are talking about us now being an established Premier League club.
"There has even been talk about what we should be or shouldn't be doing. But whatever happens, we cannot put the long term future of the Club at risk by overstretching ourselves."
In looking at Fulham's achievement, Pulis added: "Their cup exploits have been absolutely fantastic. To get into a final after 18 games is absolutely remarkable.
"They don't have a big squad, but the quality is very good. So they may rest players for this evening's match, but there are experienced Premier League players to come in.
"And despite the demands of Europe, they have still performed well in the Premier League and maintained a respectable mid-table position to add to their success."
