Pulis hails 'first-class' Walters

Published Nov. 25, 2010 1:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Walters scored twice in the Potters' 3-0 victory at West Brom on Saturday, taking his tally with his new club to four goals in all competitions. Having previously spent his career playing in the lower leagues, the striker - who also won his first cap for the Republic of Ireland last week - has so far adapted well to a higher level. Pulis could see the potential in Walters to make that step up and the manager is pleased the 27-year-old has also made his mark in the other way he hoped - in the dressing room and on the training ground. "Jon has not just been bought in respect of what he is going to do in the first team," Pulis said. "He has also been bought as a player who will mix in with the group and his attitude and commitment to everything he does, both on and off the pitch, is absolutely first-class. "The players have really taken to him. We have a good spirit at the football club and the secret is to try and maintain that spirit and togetherness. Jon has moulded in so well. "Obviously we are delighted he has got four goals already this season, but it's also his application and attitude around the place. "As a lad, he has really mixed in and grown with the group." Pulis said Walters was "buzzing" after his double strike at The Hawthorns, which helped the Potters to their third straight win. It is the first time Stoke have achieved three successive victories in the Premier League, but it came after a run of four league defeats and the manager - a newcomer to the division himself when the club was promoted in 2008 - has learned to keep calm about his team's fortunes. "I think you become more resilient and you understand," Pulis said. "For me coming into the Premier League, I was very new and I had never worked at this level before. "But I think I'm quite a quick learner and I understand what goes on and what doesn't go on. "I do take note of what people say and other experiences. We are on a good run at the moment, but that could spin around and we could lose the next three games. "You have to be resilient at times, and you have to be very level-headed. It is a sound football club and there is a level base right from the top through to the young kids who play. "We have a direction we want to go in and we know that we will stumble at times, but there is always someone there ready to pick you up and make sure you are on your way again."