Is sacking Pulis the answer?

After a win against QPR this weekend, Stoke are still in a relegation scrap, so is this the end for the Pulis effect? And will Steve Bould be the new helmsman if Tony Pulis does leave? 

With only two wins in their last 17 before their game this weekend against fellow strugglers of the league, QPR, how will the Britannia faithful react to a possible relegation? After their visit to Harry Redknapp’s men and deserved victory, they face Norwich at home, a rejuvenated Sunderland under Di Canio before hosting Spurs, and away at St. Mary’s on the last day of the season. A fair run in, in my opinion, but they have been turgid as of late and if they do not step up their performances quickly, they may be the final team relegated in my opinion, with QPR and Reading already doomed in my eyes, albeit, they did show signs of their ruthlessness coming back during their game against QPR.

The thing I cannot get my head around is, is Tony Pulis a perfect footballing match for Stoke or is it literally all down to the team he has assembled? With a style of play that is more towards the physical and aerial aspect of the beautiful game, will a new manager even be able to change the style of play they have become notorious for, or simply bite off more than a new manager can chew and attempt to overhaul an entire system? I cannot think of a manager who would find the job appealing off the top of my head, with a spend of more than £80 million in the past 5 seasons, a relegation would see more of the top earners away, but with likely no way near the return in transfers for the players sold. IF a new manager is deemed necessary it would be an easier task to change the footballing philosophy with a squad that would be trimmed down for the championship.

In my opinion, I would not sack Pulis, even the best footballing systems get figured out eventually, the Lisbon lions breaking the Catenaccio system springs to mind. Depending on the up and coming fixture against QPR, I think that will set them in stead for the last run in. I expect a heated, physical last few matches of the season and expect even more rough handedness when possible from Stoke as things may seem last gasp for Pulis and his men. 

Original story here on The Mirror.

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