Pulis: Coates sets perfect example

Pulis had hoped to have James in on loan to face Liverpool in Saturday's 1-1 draw but Stoke could not agree on the amount of James' wages they were prepared to take on. The deal could still be revived, but Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie has attacked Stoke's refusal to take on the majority of James' wages during a loan deal for the rest of the season. And Pulis, mindful of his own club's financial position in comparison with Portsmouth's cash crisis, hailed the way chairman Peter Coates runs the Potteries club. Pulis said: "We have a benefactor at this club (Coates), a local guy who has been a fan since he was five. "He loves the club, and he sticks a lot of his own money into the place. But he will only do it in a way that is right for Stoke, if he feels it is not right then he won't do it. "I am quite happy with that. Peter (Storrie) will have his say and we will have ours, but the important thing is that we run a club in the proper manner. The Coates family will see to that." Pulis added: "Peter and his family run this club, financially, that is special. Any debt we incur, Peter pays out of his back pocket. "He runs this club in a proper way. He does not do things short-term, he is in it for the long haul. He will build for the future and put a lot more money in, I am sure. "I feel with all the financial problems at other clubs, we are very fortunate - the club and supporters - to have someone like Peter running the place." Pulis was speaking after Thomas Sorensen had gifted Liverpool the lead by spilling a free-kick to allow Sotirios Kyrgiakos to net his first goal for the Anfield club. Only a last-ditch Robert Huth effort saved a point. Stoke had selection and injury issues that upset their game plan. Pulis lost striker James Beattie just before the match, and then had Rory Delap and Abdoulaye Faye injured early on. He said: "Beattie pulled out before the game with an injury. He felt a calf problem before the match, it stiffened up and we couldn't take a chance with him. "It was difficult for us because we then lost two players to injury early on, and Matty Etherington had to play with an ankle injury for some while. "We are not over-generous to teams who come to Stoke, we don't give much away. We are successful through commitment and honesty, and we get results, so a point against a major club like Liverpool is an achievement. "We felt we deserved a point, the fans went home happy with what they saw from us and we held one of the country's top clubs."