Tony Pulis has urged his Stoke players to stay focused as a long season of European and domestic football nears its climax.
Stoke boss wants side to stay focused with three games remaining
Tony Pulis has urged his Stoke players to stay focused as a long season of European and domestic football nears its climax.
Stoke's season got underway back in July, when they faced Croatian side Hajduk Split in the Europa League qualifying stage.
Since then the Potters have played 53 games, and Pulis wants his side to keep fighting with just three matches remaining.
"It's been a long season but the players are still going," said the Stoke boss.
"We've got a very difficult game here on Tuesday night. Everton, along with Arsenal, are one of the real form teams at the moment.
"We will have to be really on it to get anything out of it and then we finish with QPR and Bolton, both fighting for their lives.
"All the games left are against teams playing for something.
"In one respect it makes that difficult for us but in another respect it is a challenge we have to pick up.
"It is going to be a really tough finish for us."
Good lad
Everton are once again finishing the season strongly and are pushing for a spot in Europe next season.
"I don't know what David (Moyes) puts in their water but they tend to start very slowly and then they drive forward in the second half of the season. That is what they have done," Pulis added.
"They will be desperately disappointed they never got to the cup final - I know David and I know he will be.
"But he is a good lad, a good football man. He is sensible and he gets the job done without too much fuss and attention.
"That is what he has continued to do. He has stabilised them.
"I have a lot of time for him, he is a top manager. It is a traditionally top, top club and he has done a fantastic job."
One thing that impressed Pulis this season was the reinforcements that Moyes acquired during the January transfer window.
After limited activity in recent seasons, the Toffees bolstered their squad with the acquisitions of Darron Gibson from Manchester United, Nikica Jelavic from Rangers and Steven Pienaar from Tottenham.
"If you look at their squad, they have some very good players," said Pulis.
"Gibson, Jelavic and Pienaar have really helped him this year - three great signings after Christmas.
"People say you shouldn't make signings then, but have a look at what David has done."
