Pulis has admitted he will make several changes for the tie at Molineux

Stoke City chairman Peter Coates has backed manager Tony Pulis regarding his team selection for FA Cup ties.

Pulis made seven changes for the third-round tie against Cardiff and a further 10 when the teams met in a replay.

Coates told BBC Radio Stoke: "We are a squad, he's got to give them games, so you can understand it from his view.

"I don't know what's on his mind for the fourth round at Wolves [on Sunday], but hopefully he'll get it right and we'll get something out of it."

The Potters drew the first game against Cardiff 1-1 and then won the replay 2-0 after extra time, to set-up an all-Premier League clash at Molineux.

People say I don't take the FA Cup seriously, but we've got a three-game week next week Tony Pulis

Pulis has expressed his anger with the scheduling of Sunday's game, and would once again be making several changes to his team.

"People say I don't take the FA Cup seriously, but we've got a three-game week next week," Pulis added.

"Liverpool don't play on the Saturday because they've been knocked out and Sunderland don't play on the Saturday because they've been knocked out.

"And what have the FA done? They've moved our game back to the Sunday.

"So we have to play on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. They've made it really easy for us, haven't they?"

Stoke reached the last eight of the competition last season, beating York City, Arsenal and Manchester City, before being knocked out at the quarter-final stage by eventual champions Chelsea.

Wolves also needed a replay to get past Championship opposition in round three, defeating Doncaster Rovers 5-0 at Molineux after drawing 2-2 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version