STATS THE WAY TO GO UP!
Pulis points to the numbers and tells fans excitement will follow
TONY PULIS claimed he has statistics on his side as he answered criticism from fans demanding more fireworks at the Riverside.
Though Pulis is on course to guide Boro back to the Premier League, fans still aren’t happy.
But the Middlesbrough boss, preparing for today’s lunchtime clash with Derby, has called for patience.
“Average number of crosses per game this season? 25 – that’s fourth-best in the league,” the Welshman said.
Boro are second in the Championship so it’s perhaps no surprise that Pulis is irritated by having to defend his tactics.
The Teessiders may have scored only 16 goals in 14 Championship games but a tally of nine clean sheets is not to be sneezed at, and they have conceded just seven goals.
“To say we are not creating isn’t right,” Pulis went on.
“I am on to the players about scoring goals, being calmer in front of goal. We have to give them (the fans) something to shout about. We have to give the fans something to get their teeth into. We have to make sure we are up and at it, and that we are having a go.”
No-one will be jeering on Teesside if Boro can clinch promotion. But fans these days are demanding more.
Perhaps seeing dozens of goals in TV highlights shows skews the harsh reality of building a winning side.
Pulis said: “It is the world we live in. We are in a digital world where you can flick your channel and see loads of goals.
“When it is not going your way people have to remain calm, keep their feet on the ground, and plough through it. It is a tough league, the games come quickly.
“Everybody can be critical, and, yes, we can improve, but we have to have perspective.”
Pulis says there is not an outstanding side in the Championship and has vowed to keep Boro in the promotion hunt.
“There isn’t a great deal of difference between the teams up there,” he said.
“All are well-organised, powerful teams. It’s a tough league, more competitive than the last time I was in it, but we’ve had a good start.”
Pulis today comes up against Frank Lampard and is pleased the former England midfielder has dipped his toe into management.
He added: “Frank was an outstanding player and professional. He made himself one of the best in England and he will want to manage at the top level and be successful. We now have a little crop of players who want to be managers even though financially they don’t need it. Years ago you stayed in it because you knew nothing else.
“I hope Frank is successful. You want the best players having a go a it.”