Pulis critical of moaning Wenger

Published Dec. 17, 2009 8:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

Stoke boss Tony Pulis believes Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger is wrong to "moan like a drain" about weakened sides and fixture congestion.

The Gunners boss was furious Wolves manager Mick McCarthy fielded a second-string team in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Tuesday.

On Wednesday night, after a 1-1 draw at Burnley, he railed against the Premier League fixture schedule which meant his side would play three matches in a week whereas Saturday's opponents Hull had no midweek involvement.

Pulis, however, believes that although the Wenger is arguing the case for his club, the Frenchman should just get on with the job.

"Wenger is moaning like a drain because it doesn't suit Arsenal. He ain't moaning because it doesn't suit Stoke," said Pulis. "He is saying it because it doesn't suit him and that was what Mick has done.

"I don't think it was the walk in the park (for United) that people are suggesting.

"The players Mick played, most of them are seasoned professionals - he hasn't played the youth team - who he has spent decent money on.

"There is one important point here and that is that Mick McCarthy will do whatever he thinks is best for Wolves."

Stoke had their match on Tuesday against Fulham at the Britannia Stadium postponed as the Cottagers were involved in Europa League action the following day.

Pulis argued that worked against his side as, having hosted Wigan last weekend, he would have liked to have had back-to-back home games. Instead Stoke now face successive away trips to Aston Villa on Saturday and then Manchester City.

"We would have preferred to have got that game in - it was a home game - because it would have been advantageous," Pulis added.

"We are a little bit disappointed we have not played but the success Fulham have had getting caught up in Europa Cup games is no fault of theirs.

"We have now got two very tough games, Villa and Manchester City away, and then we play the form team Birmingham on Monday week so it is a tough test for us.

"No disrespect to Wenger or any foreign manager but I don't think there is anything wrong with asking professional athletes to perform twice in three or four days.

"That sometimes is the way it happens. We have had to take it on the chin because I'd have preferred to have played Fulham on Tuesday.

"That would have been another home game and, fingers-crossed, we would have got a result and would not be looking down the barrel of two difficult away games.

"That is the way it crumbles. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it goes against you."