Stoke City vs West Bromwich(WBA) preview - Pulis sets sights on 40 points

Posted Saturday, January 21, 2012 by PA

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has admitted he will not be able to relax this season until his side have hit the magical 40-point barrier.

A run of just one defeat in their last 10 Barclays Premier League matches since a 5-0 drubbing at Bolton in early November has propelled Stoke up to eighth and within 10 points of Pulis' target.

It seems inconceivable the Potteries outfit will be unable to glean those 10 points from the remaining 17 matches and retain their place in the top flight for what would be a fifth consecutive season.

However, until that stage, Pulis cannot rest as he said: "That 40-point barrier is everything, and I mean everything. We have to get Premier League status for next season again.

"It's the thing we desire at this football club, with everything else a sideshow in many respects. Premier League football is so, so important, and we have to make sure we are always focused on that.

"Of course, we enjoy the cup games, we enjoy the challenge, and I feel we've been able to balance things well since we came up into the Premier League. We've done pretty well in the cup competitions.

"But the focus is on those 40 points. We have to get that because it keeps us in the Premier League, and that is the case again this year, to get to 40 points as quick as we can.

"We need just 10 points, and we need to get them as quick as we can, and then push on from there.

"If we can do it in the next seven or eight games, brilliant. We'll be absolutely delighted, and then as I say we can push on.

"But until we do get them I certainly won't be relaxed. When we do, then I'll be doing somersaults."

Stoke face a West Brom side at the Britannia Stadium who have slumped on the back of three consecutive league defeats.

The form book indicates it will likely be four in a row for the Baggies as they have not won at Stoke for 30 years, losing 13 and drawing five of the 18 matches played.

Pulis, though, is taking nothing for granted, adding: "It does obviously throw itself up, with certain clubs having a say over another club, but I don't know why that is.

"But we'll go into the game with no pretensions at all. We have to be full throttle and give it everything we possibly can, otherwise if we don't then we'll lose."

Pulis has doubts over just two players, with defender Ryan Shotton struggling with a foot injury that kept him out of last weekend's goalless draw at Liverpool, whilst winger Rory Delap has been plagued with cramp in his calves.

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has rubbished reports linking striker Peter Odemwingie with a move to Fulham.

Former Fulham boss Hodgson has played down speculation Odemwingie could be heading to Craven Cottage with winger Damien Duff and defender Chris Baird moving in the opposite direction.

Hodgson still regards Odemwingie as a key figure even though he has struggled to reproduce the form which brought him 15 goals last season.

He said: "There is no truth in it. We've had no contact with Fulham - or any other club - regarding Peter.

"He is not a player we want to sell and the story is a bit of a waste of breath to be honest.

"I've said many times that we don't want to sell Peter."

Hodgson is also close to abandoning his attempt to sign Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell after confirming an initial bid had been rejected.

He said: "We made our bid and we perhaps have to start looking elsewhere.

"I don't think the club is anxious to improve the bid. As far as I was concerned, it was an idea that came up.

"I thought it was a good idea at the price. We thought it would be a possibility. But if it is not a possibility, we will have to move away."

Ridgewell was the subject of an enquiry from Albion during the last transfer window and submitted a transfer request but he remains a Blues player at present.

Hodgson is looking for Albion to repeat the defensive solidarity that earned them a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium last season.

He said: "The Stoke challenge is no longer unique because we have come to terms with it after four years so everyone knows what they are good at and what problems they cause.

"You hope you have got the players who can deal with the challenge because you can't stop the ball being whizzed into your box and you can't stop them sending forward six footers.

"You have to have the players who can deal with that and not surrender to the pressure. We have sufficient ability to deal with it and we dealt with it pretty well last season."

Midfielder Paul Scharner (Achilles) and defender Billy Jones (hamstring) have been ruled out but centre-back Jonas Olsson is available after a four game absence with a calf problem.

Hodgson is hoping Jones and right-back Steven Reid (ankle and knee) will be available for next weekend's home FA Cup clash with Norwich.