Robins benefits from TP's Stoke knowledge as he shapes future...

MARK Robins says Tony Pulis was the first person he called after taking the Stoke City job as he tries to take on board at least some of his predecessor's principles.

- Peter Smith

Stoke City boss Mark Robins says he values the words of wisdom from one of his Potters predecessors Tony Pulis.

Pulis became one of only five managers in Stoke history to guide the club into the top flight during the best part of a decade on the sidelines at what is now the bet365 Stadium and he still remains synonymous with the club some 12 years after leaving.

So Robins took the chance to bend his ear - or, more likely, have his ear bent when they met at a recent black tie Coates family celebration.

There are echoes of Pulis' style of management in Robins' approach, particularly when he talks about togetherness, embracing the club motto Vis Unita Fortior, and the current boss is glad to listen to someone who knows what it's like to walk the path he's trying to take.