Dalglish: They should be congratulated

Liverpool legend and manager Kenny Dalglish has praised Tony Pulis, and Stoke City in the run up to Saturday`s encounter with the Potters.



he 60-year-old Scotsman said: “Stoke will be a tough fixture for us, as they all are, and we certainly won`t be taking them lightly.

“Stoke deserve all the success that comes their way because Tony Pulis has a philosophy and it has done brilliantly for them. To go from mid-table in the Championship to European football in five or so years is an outstanding achievement.”

Tony Pulis has an impeccable record throughout his career of never being relegated with any of the clubs he has been with, and although the first year in the Premier League with us was odds-on to tarnish that clean record, he built a strong and resilient side that saw it through to the end to secure a place the following year.

Last season is arguably one of the best we have ever had after the remarkable run in the FA Cup saw us at the big stage, Wembley, for the final. Manchester City bought the cup with spare change from their back pocket, but it was enough to place Stoke in the Europa League Qualifiers, in which we have progressed to the group stages.

So we have the evidence that our style of play works for us, and works incredibly well. Dalglish agrees, and believes Stoke shouldn`t be criticised for it. He added: “Sometimes you hear people condemning them for their style, but in my eyes they should be congratulated for what they`ve done.

“As long as the game is played within the rules, who can tell you what is the right way and wrong way to play football? You have to do what benefits your club best. Stoke are an example to any club that has aspirations.”

I totally agree and thank you Kenny for a refreshing comment of common sense and congratulations. It`s not often other respected managers take their hats off to us, so it`s certainly welcomed and appreciated when one does.

As for you Arsene Wenger, for crying to an annual meeting and trying to get an offside rule enforced on throw-ins, which is a rather underlined dig at Rory Delap and us, I`d ‘8-2` be in your shoes right now.