Stoke manager Tony Pulis insists he will stand by his goalkeeper Asmir Begovic despite a dip in form.
Potters boss will stick with Bosnian against QPR
Stoke manager Tony Pulis insists he will stand by his goalkeeper Asmir Begovic despite a dip in form.
Begovic was at fault for two of Bolton's goals during the recent 5-0 rout at the Reebok and had a disastrous international break, shipping six goals during the second leg of Bosnia's Euro 2012 play-off with Portugal.
Stoke take on QPR at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday but Pulis claims Begovic will not be dropped.
"I think Asmir is one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League and he will have ups and downs," Pulis said.
"I'm looking at the games and the mistakes people are making, and it is not just Asmir who has been making those mistakes - it's the collective group."
Asked if he would be tempted to make sweeping changes for this weekend's league clash with Rangers, Pulis dismissed such a suggestion but admitted the squad is tired after recent Europa League exertions. He added: "No, not at all.
"Even I felt really tired after the game, and you look at what the lads were set in terms of the three games - a Monday, a Thursday and then a Sunday.
"Even when we're coming back (from Israel), we're coming back to another away game, not coming back and able to rest and then play at home.
"We had to get them up again, get them to another hotel and get them prepared for another away match. It has been tough."
