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The Potters have been a fixture in the top half of the Premier League for much of the season, although they dropped to 11th after losing 2-0 at Liverpool.

Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "We could have the best season that this football club has had for a long, long time.

"We could finish in the top 10 in the Premier League and we could be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup."

He continued: "We've got a hell of a lot to play for and to be where we are in February is fantastic.

"The important thing is that people keep their feet on the ground and don't get too greedy.

"We've got to work hard and make sure we stay together to see the club through to what could be a very, very exciting last quarter of the season."

Stoke have finished 12th and 11th in the two seasons since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

And a victory over League One leaders Brighton will see the Potters reach the last eight of the FA Cup for the second consecutive campaign, having failed to do so for the previous 38 years.

Goals from Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez condemned Stoke to defeat at Anfield and Pulis was unhappy with the timing of the first goal.

"I'm disappointed that we conceded the goal so early in the second half," added the Stoke boss.

"I thought in the first half, apart from the last 10 minutes, we contained them very well."

Labels: excited, manager, prospects, Pulis, Stoke

The Spaniard, whose new facial hair has amused everyone except his mother, helped unveil Ferrari's F150 at their factory on Friday in a glitzy ceremony witnessed by some of Italy's top industry figures.

"I have a good impression of the car," Alonso, beaten to the drivers' title by?Sebastian Vettel?in last year's final race, said.

"At this presentation we have seen the potential of Ferrari, we are the only team that can do a launch like this."

The one blip seemed to be the media fascination with his beard, first displayed at Ferrari's ski retreat in mid-January when his late-night magic tricks and more relaxed manner won him a new cult audience among F1 fanatics.

Asked if the Mexican-style beard would still be there come the first race in Bahrain on March 13, he said: "I don't think so. My mother doesn't want it."

She does want her son to snatch back the world title he claimed with?Renault?in 2005 and 2006, something Alonso is cautiously optimistic about given this year he has helped in car development unlike last season when he only joined in January.

"I will feel more confident with this year's car, more comfortable, it will be more predictable. I know the team now," he said, aware that new additions this year like KERS and a moveable rear wing make F1 driving more complex.

"The first sensations at February 1 are less important than ever. Driving is more difficult yes, when you take a road car or a GT maybe you enjoy yourself more. F1 is more technical."

Alonso hopes to learn as much from team mate?Felipe Massa's laps during next week's tests in Valencia than he does from his own given the restrictions on testing, while Massa has one slight worry as he is the smallest driver on the grid.

"Definitely we have worked a lot on the driver position with such a big front nose this year," the Brazilian said.

"We've had to change it as visibility could be a problem. We haven't driven the car yet (to check the position) but we are going in the right direction with it."

Labels: Alonso, Eurosport, prospects, Yahoo

BBC Sport (blog)

Alonso: New look, new prospects Yahoo! Eurosport UK Ferrari's Fernando Alonso plans to shave off his beard before the Formula One season starts and reckons his team's new car will also trim off the seconds which gave Red Bull last year's titles. The Spaniard, whose new facial hair has amused everyone ... Ferrari unveil 2011 challengerIndependent Ferrari F150 technicians commenst on new carMotorsport.com Ferrari unveil 2011 carThe Press Association BBC Sport all 429 news articles »

Labels: Alonso, Eurosport, prospects, Yahoo