Pulis praises defensive duo

Stoke boss Tony Pulis praised defenders Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth after his side’s 2-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park on Sunday.

Centre-back Huth put Stoke ahead six minutes after half-time when he powered home a header from a Matthew Etherington corner, while Shawcross was resolute in defence as Blackburn looked to hit back.

The win was the first in three games for Pulis’ men, and he said the defensive duo were instrumental in the victory.

“The two lads at the back, Robert and Ryan, were absolutely outstanding today,” Pulis told Sky Sports.

“You have to defend well and those two did. They were exceptional.”

“I was really pleased with Robert’s goal because our return off set-plays has not been as good as it could have been.”

Despite sitting in eighth place after 18 games, Pulis insists his primary focus is surviving in the top flight for a third successive campaign with a view to pushing higher up the table next season.

“Three years in the Premiership gives you enough time and money to establish yourself,” Pulis said.

“We need this. It’s an important year for the football club. If we can stay in the Premiership for a third year, I think the club can push on then.”

The result leaves caretaker Blackburn boss Steve Kean still searching for his first win, and the 43-year-old Scotsman said he could understand the frustration of fans who booed him after the insipid performance.

“The fans are going to be frustrated but I thought, certainly in the first half, it was pretty even,” Kean said.

“We’re all frustrated here, but it’s a time when we just have to keep a positive front as much as we can.”

“There has been upheaval at the club but I don’t want to make excuses because that is not the way I am. I was disappointed with the goals we gave away.”

Kean added that he stripped Christopher Samba of the club captaincy because the French defender had expressed a desire to leave over the treatment of former boss Sam Allardyce, who was sacked by Blackburn’s new owners, the Indian firm Venky Group.

“Christopher would have played (against Stoke) but he wouldn’t have been captain because at the moment he is looking to possibly get away from the club,” he said.

“Until he can come back and say he is happy to stay I think we’ll look elsewhere in the club. He would have played but he failed a fitness test today.”