Pennant keen to stay at Stoke

Jermaine Pennant admits to frustration at being left on the bench in recent games but insists he wants to stay at Stoke and fight for his place.

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There have been rumours that the winger would move on in this transfer window but he is adamant he is in no rush to leave.

"I'm in no rush to be going anywhere. I've not asked to leave and the club has not given a signal they want me to leave," said Pennant.

"As soon as the transfer window is over then I won't have to answer these questions any more, and everyone will know I'll be here.

"It's frustrating for any player. You always want to start and play 90 minutes, but if it's not happening then you have to keep plugging away.

"If you then get 40 minutes and you make some contribution to the game, then brilliant, like I have done in the last two games when I've come on and made a goal.

"Everyone knows what I'm capable of - I do as well - so when I get my chance, I'll take it.

"The manager and I haven't really spoken about why I'm not playing or when I'm going to play.

"He's picking the team and it's doing well, but I'm sure when I'm needed I'll get that first-choice nod."

Pulis: Coleman needs Wales support

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has urged the whole of Wales to give Chris Coleman the support that was afforded to Gary Speed.

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Coleman is set to take over as Wales boss, less than two months after Speed's death at the age of 42. After winning 32 caps for Wales, and after managing Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry in the past, Coleman would certainly bring plenty of experience to the role.

The only question for fellow Welshman and Stoke manager Pulis is whether Coleman will be afforded the time needed given the situation is still raw following Speed's death. "In going for Chris, brilliant, now everybody get behind him," said Pulis.

"It's difficult (becoming Wales manager) due to the circumstances surrounding Gary, but Chris knew Gary very well, and everybody in Wales will understand.

"He just needs a little bit of luck, a little bit of time, as we all do. I think he will be given a bit more time, and certainly a lot more grace.

"He has great experience, and he's worked for a long time in the Premier League. He's played for Wales, so he understands the situation, the set-up and everything else. He'll know the players back to front as well.

"All the people who helped Gary, helped him get the results whilst he was in the job, should get behind Chris now and the country can push forward."

Results improved significantly under Speed and Pulis hopes Coleman can carry on the good work and qualify Wales for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"There are some great young players in Wales, and hopefully there are some good times to come," added Pulis.

"They've picked a man who is a good football man, and I'm sure he will do a great job there. Now he should be given the opportunity and the chance to hopefully put together a team that will get us qualified."

Pulis proud of battling Potters

Stoke manager Tony Pulis praised referee Howard Webb for not buckling under pressure during his side's goalless draw at Anfield.

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Apart from two Dirk Kuyt headers late in the second half the home side struggled to create chances, but World Cup final official Howard Webb was called on to make some difficult calls with substitute Andy Carroll going to the floor on more than one occasion in tussles in the penalty area

The South Yorkshire referee is by no means a favourite at Anfield and, although the Kop were unhappy with his decision-making, Pulis was not, and said of the penalty appeals: "I think it was more out of desperation."

He added: "They are a fantastic crowd here and they could see we were digging in and the players needed some help and by cheering the way they cheered every time ball went in there helped.

"Several referees might have buckled but thankfully Howard is strong and experienced enough to have not."

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish would not be drawn on Webb's performance.

"It is difficult to understand when he talks to the players and explains something to them and then they commit the same crime immediately after it," he said. "I think we have stopped trying to work out the logic of referees nowadays."

Dalglish was more concerned with the lack of chances created which contributed to a seventh draw in 11 home matches this season and led to them losing ground on fourth-placed Chelsea.

"They (Stoke) came to go away with a point and they got a point," added Dalglish.

"The responsibility was on us to be more imaginative and to break them down and we didn't manage to do it. The couple of opportunities we got we didn't take and in a game like that you have to take them."

Pulis: I'd boss Wales for memorial

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has admitted he would happily take over as Wales manager - but only for one game.

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The Welshman would be willing to send out the national side against Costa Rica on Wednesday, February 29 in a memorial game for Gary Speed. However, while the Wales job is something he might consider later in his career, Pulis confirmed his immediate future lies at the Britannia Stadium.

He told the Stoke Sentinel: "Anything that would help in any shape or form in respect of Gary Speed, I would gladly do."

He added: "I would have to speak to [Stoke chairman] Peter [Coates] first, of course, and if he didn't think it was right then fine.

"But if he was okay and they asked me for just a one-off game, then I'd do it out of respect for Gary.

"My main job remains at Stoke, but as I've said before, your national job is something you might look at in the future."

Watson secures point for Wigan

Ben Watson came off the bench to rescue a valuable 2-2 draw for 10-man Wigan in a thrilling finale to their match with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

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Victor Moses put the struggling Latics ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Gary Caldwell was then sent off for deliberate handball in the 76th minute and Jonathan Walters converted the resulting penalty to draw eighth-placed Stoke level.

When substitute Cameron Jerome - whose header had led to Caldwell's dismissal - subsequently put the hosts ahead, things looked bleak for Wigan, but Watson then scored an 87th-minute penalty of his own - with his first touch - after Ryan Shotton had been penalised for a tug on Hugo Rodallega's shirt.