Pulis perturbed as Stoke fall flat

Stoke City 0 West Ham 1

Saturday’s 1-0 loss to West Ham means the Potters, beaten only three times in their first 20 Premier League fixtures this season, have now suffered six defeats in the eight top-flight matches that have followed.

All that has left them in 11th place on 33 points, and Pulis wants to see his players rouse themselves in their final 10 games for a strong finish to the campaign.

“We have gone a little bit flat and we have to shake ourselves out of it, without a question of a doubt,” said Pulis. “We need to get over the line — get 40 points. It is only our second home defeat and that is most disappointing because our home form has been excellent this year.”

Jack Collison netted the winner, collecting a through-ball from his fellow substitute Ricardo Vaz Te, turning and firing a shot beyond Asmir Begovic in first-half stoppage time.

The result moved West Ham up to 12th, level on points with Stoke, and their boss Sam Allardyce believes five more points will be enough to ensure his team — promoted from the npower Championship last year – avoid the drop.

“We have finally broken the away form scenario in terms of results, and that is our third away win,” he said.