To that end, it is no wonder Pulis is relieved to be working for a man he describes as an "old-fashioned" chairman in Peter Coates. Coates is Stoke through and through, a supporter since he was five and a local man made good, a far cry from the many top-flight clubs currently run by overseas investors. "We're very fortunate at this club to have the Coates family who own and run it. They pay for everything," assessed Pulis. "It's really an old-fashioned set-up. The chairman is a supporter, and has been so from about five years of age. "He controls the club, and does so in a way that can be managed. "We try to sign players, but if we can't afford players then we don't do it, and if we can then Peter gets the deals done. "So it's really reassuring, from my point of view and that of the fans, that we have a family that has such an affection for the area, never mind the club. "They make sure they run this club properly. It may be old fashioned, but it isn't a bad way of doing it. "It's why I don't think he'll ever put this club at risk. It's not short-termism with Peter. "He has a view, a vision, that the club should build gradually over the next five or six years. "There are good foundations being put in place, and hopefully in five years' time we will be better than we are now." It is why Pulis is so saddened at the torrid situation at one of his former clubs Portsmouth whose crippling financial situation has dominated headlines for months. "There's loads of stuff going on at Pompey. I don't think anybody knows the exact financial trouble they're in, but I do think it's a lesson for everybody," added Pulis. "Football finances have spiralled beyond what most people can afford, but how you stop it I just don't know. "The people at Manchester City are expected to spend, and the top four or five clubs in the country are going to want to stay with them. "To do that, they're going to have to compete in the market and pay the money they are for players, so it just spirals and spirals. "Beneath that it's a very difficult situation, and it takes brave people to keep the level down. "At the end of the day it's all about players' wages. It's an unbelievable industry we're in because it has been protected like no other. "There's no other industry that would find itself in so much financial trouble, and yet be continuously bailed out. "It's unique in that way, but I do think what David (Sullivan) is saying is right." Pulis, meanwhile, has until 5pm on Friday to clinch a deal for England goalkeeper David James to play against Liverpool. Pulis is hoping to sign James on loan for the rest of the season from Pompey, which would almost certainly see the 39-year-old go straight into the side for Saturday's visit of his former club.
