TP: We can't take foot off pedal

The Potters have established themselves in the top flight since their promotion in 2008 and go into Saturday's meeting with Birmingham in ninth place. Pulis is pleased with his side's efforts in cracking the top 10 but remains aware that the difference between them and the relegation zone is just seven points. As such he insists the club's primary focus must be ensuring survival. "Ninth place and in the fifth round of the FA Cup, that's not too bad for this time of the season, but we have to make sure we don't take our foot off the pedal," he said. "We need to grasp it as much as we possibly can in the next three months. "I do worry and it's a case of getting to 40, 41 points and we can assess things. "Until we get there there's no way in a million years I'll be thinking of anything else. "Have a look at the teams down there and the clubs who have been relegated in the last four or five years. "Nobody in this city should take Premier League football for granted." Robert Huth was the match-winner in the 3-2 victory over Sunderland last week, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes. Pulis praised the German defender for his work-rate and versatility but reminded him to focus on his defensive duties. "Robert was brilliant in their box and useless in ours," joked Pulis. "He got it the wrong way round. "He's a great lad though. He can play left, right, centre-half. He can do the full works. "He's taken Ryan Shawcross' mantle with the goals as well. Ryan was scoring last year and Rob has picked up the baton. "The game is changing, I think. Look at the goals scored last weekend in the Premier League. There's a massive emphasis now on going forward and not so much defensively." One player who would love to follow Huth on the goal trail is striker Kenwyne Jones. He has not scored since New Year's Day but Pulis believes he can benefit from the presence of loan signing John Carew. "Kenwyne needs a goal. He needs to get that and get a bit of confidence back," conceded Pulis. "Playing with John will help him because he is such a good player."