Middlesbrough face Stoke City on Saturday evening in front of the Sky Sports cameras, and manager Tony Pulis has been speaking to the press ahead of the Championship clash.
Here are three things to take from Tony Pulis’ press conference on Friday afternoon:
1. Pulis’ affiliation with Stoke
Tony Pulis spoke of how he spent 10 ‘fantastic’ years at Stoke, and that he has still has great respect for the chairman and his family.
The Boro boss also said that he always looks out for their results, which may come as a surprise to Stoke fans.
2. Youngsters making their mark
23-year old Lewis Wing and 19-year old Marcus Tavernier will be knocking on the first-team door this weekend after stellar performances in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
“Lewis got a lot of the credit with his goal and the way he played. He deserved that” said Pulis.
“I actually personally thought Tav was absolutely fantastic, maybe he didn’t get the credit he deserved.”
Tavernier set up Wing for the decisive goal, a 25-yard screamer into the top corner past Palace ‘keeper Vicente Guaita.
3. Update on Sam McQueen
Southampton loanee Sam McQueen came off the pitch midway through the first half with an injury, and Pulis gave an update on the defender in his pre-match press conference.
“Sam’s news is not very good” he said. “He’s done his cruciate. I don’t think we’ll have him available for a long time.”
Typically with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, players can be expected to miss months of football. McQueen could go back to Southampton for treatment as a result.
