Tony Pulis: 'Players don't deserve criticism'

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has told fans to blame him, and not the players, for the team's recent form.

The Potters have won once in their last nine matches - a run that has seen them slip down to 11th place in the Premier League table.

"Those players don't deserve criticism," Pulis told reporters. "They've been absolutely fantastic for this football club. If there's a gripe, have it with the manager - leave the players alone.

"When you go on a run of games when you're not winning, you always get a dip in confidence but you have to accept that. You have good times and you have bad times."

Pulis takes his Stoke side to Newcastle United in the league on Sunday.