TEAMtalk Insider: Pulis plea to fans

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has been telling TEAMtalk's Insider Mark Holmes of the crucial role City's fans can play against West Brom this weekend.

Stoke go into Saturday's clash on the back of a 5-0 drubbing by Manchester United last weekend, but they will move six points clear of bottom-placed West Brom with a fourth successive home win.

The Potters have picked up 12 of their 14 points at the Britannia Stadium and Pulis believes that is down in no small part to the supporters that have been rated the Premier League's loudest.

Albion are yet to win at the stadium and have not won at Stoke since 1982, but Pulis is warning the fans against complacency and urging another rousing display from the stands on Saturday.

"The West Brom game is massive for us," he said, "and I hope we get the same atmosphere and commitment from the supporters that we've had all season.

"They've been fantastic, no matter where we've been or who we've played, they've been right behind the players and this football club and long may that continue.

"Our home form is absolutely vital and on Saturday we need them to be on the line exactly as they were againt Arsenal, Villa, Sunderland and the rest because this is a massive game for us.

"We've played to the beat of the drum at the Britannia and that has been set by our supporters. They make this place very unique and we have to get the players up to speed with the supporters. When we generate that atmosphere it gives us a better chance of winning games."

One player that has needed support from the stands more than most is Dave Kitson, who is yet to get off the mark for the club following his £5.5million summer move from Reading.

The 28-year-old has retained the backing of the fans, though, and that comes as no surprise to Pulis. However the Welshman has warned Kitson that the team is more important than any player, and that he is not guaranteed a start in the absence of the suspended Ricardo Fuller on Saturday.

Pulis said: "These supporters expect the players to run around giving effort and commitment a they'll acccept that even if the team isn't winning games.

"If the lads are giving it absolutely everything then the supporters will accept that; they just don't like seeing people strolling around.

"Everybody knows Dave needs a goal but if he plays but doesn't score and we win then I'll be happy. The biggest thing is the team.

"We'll look at the squad and decide what we're going to do and who we're going to play but whether it's Dave or (Richard) Cresswell up front is not important, it is about picking the right players for the right game for the benefit of the team."

Pulis does admit, though, that one player he would love to see out there against Albion is Fuller, who was never going to start the game anyway after playing for Jamaica on Wednesday night.

He added: "It's disappointing we haven't got Ric because he has been a thorn in West Brom's side over the last few years and his goals tally against them proves that.

"He's special player who can create things out of nothing so it's a big miss for us, but have to get on with it."