Stoked for Tony Pulis

If you're a football purist then Stoke City won't be your cup of tea, but the negative wave of publicity that has followed the club's ultimately successful fight for Premier League survival has surprised me.

Maybe some of the games more scientific managers have suffered bruised egos having been on the receiving end of Stoke's more simple, yet effective style of play this season?

Last weekend I witnessed Stoke confirm what most of us were confident would be the case, as they won at Hull City to guarantee their top flight status.

Six months ago, while Stoke were going about their business (And Rory Delap's long throw aside slipping under the radar), the footballing world were lavishing praise on 'potential manager of the season' Phil Brown guiding his side to within grasp of Champions League qualification.

Now, along with West Brom, Hull are staring an immediate return to the Championship in the face - while Stoke City are the only promoted side assured of safety.