Pulis backs Adam to find form

3 November 2012 13:20

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis believes Charlie Adam can rediscover his best form after a slow start to his career at the Premier League club.

The midfielder's unhappy spell with Liverpool last season dented his confidence but his new boss feels that a bit of careful man-management will bring out the best in a player who netted 13 times for Blackpool two seasons ago.

"It's all about managing players these days, and some you have to kiss and cuddle a bit more than you used to," Pulis told the Daily Mirror.

"I have taken him to one side and told him to relax a bit. He's got to relax more. He's been very uptight about it. He's so, so keen to prove what a good player he is.

"But I expect him to get goals and he will. I think he's trying too hard. He gets around the pitch to an unbelievable extent. His Prozone stats are just fantastic.

"If we win a game, it's because we won together, whether someone has a good game or not, and if we lose, we look at it as a group and not (as) individuals.

"He just has to get used to what we do and the way we do it. It is all about the team and not individuals.

"Getting him (Adam) was great business for us. It was a great deal. I don't think people realise the fee we paid for Charlie. It was a fantastic deal.

"I think he will score soon and he will go off on one. I'm still hoping he will weigh in with eight to 10 goals. He's got the quality to do that."