Pulis pleased with team spirit

Tony Pulis: Stoke have started the season well but have a lot of games to get through

Tony Pulis hopes the team spirit that exists within the Stoke camp will help the club to handle a gruelling schedule.

The Potters' 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday saw them set off on a run that will take in seven games in 22 days.

Once those exertions are over, they will wrap up 2011 with eight outings in 34 days.

Involvement in the Europa League, Carling Cup and Premier League is responsible for the fixture pile-up, with the club under greater pressure following their recent success.

Pulis accepts that with the games coming and thick and fast his squad will be tested to its limit, but believes he has the strength in depth to handle a hectic programme.

Attitude

"We have to keep our minds focused and keep pushing on," he told The Sentinel.

"It's been a fantastic start to the season, but we will have blips and that's when everybody has to stick together.

"Huthy (Robert Huth) won player of the year, but he's been on the bench, so it's not just players we've brought in who've been sat there.

"Others haven't been involved, but their attitude has been fantastic. Everybody has got to feel a part of it, even though they might not be playing.

"It's the group and the squad that will make us successful."

Energy

Pulis saw strike duo Jon Walters and Peter Crouch shine in a weekend victory over Fulham and he believes their promising partnership will prove to be invaluable to the club this season.

"Peter will score goals and he led the line really well," said Pulis.

"The longer the game went on, the more chances we created.

"It's not just what he does on the ball and with the ball around him, but it's the effect he has on the rest of the team and the opposition.

"Jon has great energy and enthusiasm, and he's also ideal for us in respect of what he does off the ball. He and Crouch have got a great understanding at the moment."