Pulis Plots to Dip Deeply into the Pot

Tony Pulis plans to make a shock double bid, taking £18million out of the Potters` pot to offer Tottenham for Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios.

Stick insect Crouch and chunky Palacios both have had rumours circulating about moves to various clubs, but it seems that Stoke are the favourites to snap up the pair for roughly £9million each, especially as the pair could be interested in a move to The Britannia Stadium.

But don`t hold your breath yet because Harry ‘Heat-Attack-Red` Redknapp wants at least £20million and Tony is only prepared to offer £18million. Shame Harry couldn`t do a mates` rate for his former student and assistant manager.

Not only that, but both players will be looking for a big slice of the wage budget with Crouchy demanding £70,000 a week!

There`s a couple of road blocks in the potential history making deal, but Pulis is determined to make it happen as his desperation for an additional striker and midfielder grows, and the first game of the season kicking off only next week.

30-year-old Crouch last season made 40 appearances for Tottenham in all competitions, scoring 11 goals surprisingly mainly with his feet, whilst 27-year-old Honduran international Wilson made 26 appearances for Spurs, not surprisingly as a holding midfielder scoring none.

Stoke must strengthen themselves to cope with the added physical demand of the Europa League and making sure that we can still challenge for a respectable position in the Premier League. I believe these two from Spurs would be fantastic signings for Stoke as they always put 100% commitment into their game. Crouch, although not as good as others in the air, is an intimidating player for defenders and can score with finesse, whereas Palacios can cover defenders in the centre of midfield and also be placed on the right wing to instigate breaks.

Both would be welcomed by me, but obviously for the right price as I would hate to see the club break the bank for them. But that would never happen anyway, not with Coates and Pulis in charge.