NIGEL Clough reckons Stoke City can be a model for Derby County in their attempts to get into the Premier League.
The Rams boss is impressed with the job Tony Pulis has done in getting the Potters into the top flight and then keeping them there.
Pulis and Stoke have often been criticised for their direct approach to the game — but Clough disagrees, and also believes that staying in the Premier League has nothing to do with style.
“Stoke (as a model) could be Derby,” he said. “We have that potential to be in the Premier League.
“They’ve had significant investment in the last few years since going up.”
The Rams face the Potters in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Pride Park later this month, and Clough is impressed with the big names Pulis has brought to the Britannia Stadium.
He said: “No-one ever thought they’d see the likes of Peter Crouch, who has been at Spurs and Liverpool, playing for Stoke.
“That’s a measure of how well they’ve done.
“Players now feel comfortable going to Stoke knowing they will stay in the Premier League.”
Derby’s clash with Stoke will take place on Saturday, January 28.
The Rams have received notification from the FA that the game is not being considered for television coverage, putting the club in a position to confirm the match date.
Season ticket holders are entitled to a discount on match tickets as long as they pre-purchase their tickets before 5pm on Friday, January 27 from the ticket office or by calling 0871 472 1884. Tickets are on sale now.
Meanwhile, Derby City Council’s Planning Control Committee have given the go ahead to The Plaza development proposals at Pride Park.
Councillors backed the scheme, which is adjacent to the stadium and is designed to be the focal point of the Pride Park area.
The Plaza will see land on the south west and north east corners of the stadium converted to a mixture of restaurants, cafes, bars and convenience stores.
Over 2,000sqm of office space and a new public space also form part of the granted plan.
The Plaza has also been designed to work in tandem with plans submitted by the council for its ‘Multi Sports Arena’.
Rams chief executive Tom Glick said: “This is excellent news and we are delighted that the Council have fully backed proposals which will bring long term benefits to Pride Park, the city and also to our club.
“As I have said previously, the revenues this scheme will hopefully generate can only help to make Derby County more competitive on the pitch in seasons to come.
“I would like to thank everybody at the council who has supported our application.
“With the planning consent now granted, we can move forward into the next stage of the process, which will begin by engaging with prospective development partners.
“After this we will need to go to the marketplace to secure the commitment of potential end tenants before construction can begin.”
