Stuart James, The Guardian: 'While West Bromwich Albion's free-flowing football has been revered in the Championship, it is not unreasonable to believe that Premier League managers will relish the chance to take on a team that plays such an expansive game.

'Stoke, on the other hand, are likely to make life much more uncomfortable for their opponents. Well-organised and physically imposing, Tony Pulis's side have developed a reputation for, in football parlance, rattling a few cages.'

George Berry, The Guardian: "I have seen some unbelievable stuff this year, when they have been passing the ball at the back. In between that I've seen them play long ball. If it works and gets them promotion, great, but I don't think a direct style will survive in the Premier League.

"But he (Pulis) doesn't just boom it. What he does is he plays in areas. I would never criticise a man who has won promotion. The fact is he has gone up playing this way. He's got to make a decision whether playing like that will keep them in that division."

Dave Bassett, The Guardian:: "It (Stoke's style of play) will certainly work against some Premier League sides who will find it difficult.

"Opponents might have technically gifted players but are they going to be able to defend Stoke's corners? Are they going to be able to defend the long throws? Are they going to be able to defend the free-kicks? I wouldn't bet against Stoke staying up.

"The reason some managers criticise Stoke is because they don't know how to cope. Their job is to manage their own team, not to be criticising others. Stoke are doing nothing illegal. But teams don't want to play the same way so they become disparaging and put the word round that 'this is ugly football'.

"It's a load of nonsense. You know when you play Stoke they are going to cause you problems. If you have got anything about you, you do something about it."

Ian Winrow, The Telegraph: 'The promotion-winning side has been built on the foundations of a well-organised and well-drilled group of competitive players, enhanced by the more impulsive talents of forward Ricardo Fuller and former Sunderland midfielder Liam Lawrence, and the manager is well aware he needs to add quality and quantity if Stoke are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship with the club in a worse state than it was 12 months previously.

'The manager's ability to attract experienced players on short-term loan deals and introduce more youthful talents like Ryan Shawcross, the impressive England Under-21 centre-back signed from Manchester United for £1million in January has confirmed his eye for a player. It is a skill he claims he learned as a young coach working alongside Harry Redknapp at Bournemouth, but he is under no illusion about the scale of the task confronting him.

'The gamble for Coates and Pulis now is to decide how much of next season's vastly increased revenue can, and should, be committed without burdening the club with unsustainable overheads but the strong relationship between manager and chairman - it was Coates' persuasive powers that enticed Pulis back to the club for a second spell in the face of considerable supporter opposition - means the club will avoid the self-destructive internal strife that has undermined other newly promoted clubs.'

Simon Kendall-Williams, Western Mail: 'Pulis has long been regarded as one of football's grafters, the equivalent of a journeyman pro, plying his trade in the lower leagues without ever having a crack at the big time. Until now.

'Seemingly from nowhere, his name is being mentioned as a future manager of the Welsh team.

Colin Addison, Western Mail:: "I believe Tony Pulis will manage Wales one day.

"He has worked very, very hard to get Stoke up and his success is totally warranted.

"He is totally approachable and thoroughly professional - he's a great guy. I'm absolutely delighted for him.

"Tony is no mug - he knows his way around and knows what he's doing. He has seen what has happened to West Brom and Derby over the last few seasons and he knows he needs to strengthen his squad over the summer.

"Both he and Stoke City have waited a long time for this.

"He'll be relishing the challenge of pitting his wits against the very best minds in the game after all this time."

Sachin Nakrani, The Times: 'Stoke are already favourites to be relegated from next season's Premier League but on experience alone will believe they have a chance - 14 of this squad have played in the top division, including the joint top-scorers Ricardo Fuller and Liam Lawrence, the impressive former Portsmouth and Sunderland players.'

And what Tony Pulis has to say (The Times): "I would be very disappointed having got promoted if we couldn't stay there. We have to invest. We have a different plan in place. The financial rewards give us a chance, if we are clever enough. I've spoken to Peter about being cleverer than others. It's about good players and about having the resources. "

And the chairman Peter Coates (The Telegraph): "We have just got to be clever and prudent. We are not going to go up to lie down, we are going up to have a go. I will be sitting down over the next weeks and working out a strategy to be competitive. It's about good management on and off the field, but it's a competitive world and it's easier to say that than it is to achieve but we want to stay up and we want to be viable.

"I've gambled this year and I'm fortunate it's come off because we've put resources into the club to enable us to have a better squad that the club couldn't really sustain without extra resources."