Stoke City to battle on after tough week

Sep 16 2010

Stoke assistant manager Dave Kemp insists it is business as usual at the club despite a difficult week which began with the death of boss Tony Pulis' mother.

Pulis watched the first half of Stoke's victory over Aston Villa on Monday from the stands having arrived late after spending the day with family in Newport following the bereavement.

However, he took his place on the touchline to help inspire the come-from-behind 2-1 win and he has been at the club's Clayton Wood training ground every day since.

Pulis has cut back on some of his activities, including his weekly press conference, but otherwise he is fully focused on preparing the side to face West Ham on Saturday.