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Tony Pulis slams criticism of Stoke City after Aaron Ramsey's leg break
Potters play within the rules says boss...
5 Mar 2010 15:39:00
By Niall McGlone
Stoke City boss Tony Pulis has slammed suggestions that his team are over-physical in light of the Ryan Shawcross tackle that broke Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey's leg.
Pulis now fears that the clubs reputation could be wrongly criticised after the scenes at the Britannia Stadium last weekend.
Ramsey fractured his tibia and fibula in the tackle, which left Shawcross in tears as he realised the consequences of his challenge.
Despite being red carded for the foul, the Stoke defender has received backing from various members within the game and the 22-year-old was quick to apologise over the incident, ruling out any malicious intent.
“We are perceived to be this big, strong, physical side that out-muscles teams,” Pulis said, according to The Stoke Sentinel.
“But we have played Arsenal three times this season and not had one booking.
“That doesn’t sound like a team trying to out-muscle another team.
The 52-year-old was quick to rubbish any claims of wrong doing and insisted his side play within the rules.
“What we do when we play the top teams is work very hard as a group to deny them space – and I don’t think there’s a rule to say you can’t close down against them, work hard, against them or compete against them.
“We did that last year and we’ve done it again this year, but this season we’ve also improved on the ball.”
However, Pulis now hopes that the large scale media interest surrounding Ramsey’s injury and post-match comments made by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wont affect refereeing decisions.
“As for the referees, you just hope they don’t pre-judge you,” he added.
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Pulis now fears that the clubs reputation could be wrongly criticised after the scenes at the Britannia Stadium last weekend.
Ramsey fractured his tibia and fibula in the tackle, which left Shawcross in tears as he realised the consequences of his challenge.
Despite being red carded for the foul, the Stoke defender has received backing from various members within the game and the 22-year-old was quick to apologise over the incident, ruling out any malicious intent.
“We are perceived to be this big, strong, physical side that out-muscles teams,” Pulis said, according to The Stoke Sentinel.
“But we have played Arsenal three times this season and not had one booking.
“That doesn’t sound like a team trying to out-muscle another team.
The 52-year-old was quick to rubbish any claims of wrong doing and insisted his side play within the rules.
“What we do when we play the top teams is work very hard as a group to deny them space – and I don’t think there’s a rule to say you can’t close down against them, work hard, against them or compete against them.
“We did that last year and we’ve done it again this year, but this season we’ve also improved on the ball.”
However, Pulis now hopes that the large scale media interest surrounding Ramsey’s injury and post-match comments made by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger wont affect refereeing decisions.
“As for the referees, you just hope they don’t pre-judge you,” he added.
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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