Carew scored at least once, possibly twice, on his home debut for the club in Saturday's 3-2 win over Sunderland to cap a man-of-the-match display. "John's been fantastic," Pulis said in the Stoke Sentinel. "The lads love him. He has a great sense of humour and is very laid back with it. "His presence will help and he's got great experience. People say he's just a big fella, he can only head it, but he's got great technique. A couple of things he's done has left defenders for dead." Pulis also revealed that it is former Villa boss Martin O'Neil who persuaded him to take a chance on Carew. "I was talking to Martin before we did the deal," Pulis added, "and he convinced me. He said he's a smashing big fella. "John's a gentle giant in lots of respects, but if you get him motivated and get him at it, he's as good as anybody."
