Pulis eyes 40-point mark

Stoke boss Tony Pulis wants his side to reach the 40-point mark as soon as possible but claims it will not guarantee Premier League safety.

Champions Chelsea visit the Britannia Stadium this weekend and a win for Stoke would see them reach Pulis’ target.

However, despite Stoke currently sitting mid-table in tenth, they are only five points above the drop zone.

“You have to get to 40 points as quick as you can and then you can take things from there,” Pulis said.

“Getting to 40 points is a watershed for us at this football club – but you might need more than this and that’s why it’s important to get there as quickly as possible.”

“It’s so much in the balance this year in the league and it’s been interesting – not just at the bottom but at the top of the table as well.”

With five points separating nine teams, Pulis believes it is vital not to get distracted by other side’s results.

“We don’t get involved in who’s doing what or who’s saying what – we’ll just do our own job,” continued Pulis.

“The only thing you can affect is yourselves. I can’t influence what other people do but I can influence and affect what happens at this football club.”

Anything but a loss on Saturday against Chelsea would take Stoke’s unbeaten home run to nine games in all competitions.

“I am very proud of that record,” Pulis said.

“Since we defeated West Ham (at the beginning of March) the place has taken off. There is a sense of togetherness at the Britannia and around the city.”

“That feeling will be important for the last four games here.”

On-loan striker John Carew is expected to return for Saturday’s clash after overcoming a back injury, but Abdoulaye Faye remains out with a hamstring problem.

Mamady Sidibe is out for the season with an Achilles problem.