KENWYNE Jones was entitled to his views about Tony Pulis, but the big striker has got to be prepared to back that up with performances on the pitch.
In a controversial interview, Jones said Stoke played 'sky football' under former boss TP – hit and hope stuff which he clearly didn't enjoy.
I don't know how much truth there is in reports that he was then confronted by Ryan Shawcross about his comments, but in any dressing room you will get some players who think a manager is the bee's knees and others who think he's a tactical turnip.
Tony Pulis helped take Ryan Shawcross from Manchester United reserves to winning an England cap, so I can understand why the skipper might take exception to seeing his former manager rubbished in this way.
Jones was hardly in the side last season so no doubt he has a different perspective on what was going on under TP's baseball cap.
The striker is entitled to his say, but it does leave a bit of a sour taste when a player has a pop at a former manager when that boss is no longer around.
More pertinently to this season, Jones, below, has put pressure on himself to do the business now Stoke are playing a different way under Mark Hughes.
Stoke's 4-5-1/4-3-3 system is set up to provide chances for that lone striker, and Jones is the man in possession at the moment.
If he thinks TP was to blame for him only scoring five goals last season, then he has to prove the point by thriving under Hughes.
I certainly wouldn't single Jones out for criticism in Stoke's 1-0 defeat to Norwich on Sunday because this was clearly a bad day all round at the Britannia Stadium.
Mark Hughes has made a very impressive start overall so I hope the players and the crowd show patience as the new system beds in.
Having said that, I do reckon a little more 'sky football' at the right times might come in handy.
Norwich had clearly done their homework on Stoke so, every time the ball went from Asmir Begovic to his full-backs, the Norwich players were closing them down.
If Begovic booted it long more often then the Norwich forwards would be more reluctant to press high up the pitch and risk being bypassed. Also, there's no shame in sending the big men up in the final minutes, as Hughes did with Shawcross on Sunday.
There's nothing wrong with launching the ball into the penalty area when you are chasing a game and running out of time.
Jose Mourinho did this at Chelsea when he'd send a certain Robert Huth up front to spread fear among the opposition ranks.
As far as I know, no one has ever accused the Special One of being a hoofball merchant.