Tony Pulis column: “I used to be seen as a dinosaur but I don’t see too many managers complaining about set pieces now”

Hello and welcome to the new BBC sports column, Going Direct.

From tactics to man management, I’ll be covering a different aspect of the modern game each week, comparing old-school ideas with new trends.

There’s only one place to start, and that’s with the advent of set-pieces, which may be the story of the season so far.

I was seen as a dinosaur for my focus on set-pieces and long throws with Stoke City when we were promoted to the Premier League in 2008, but I can’t say I feel right in the way it’s in fashion now – because I knew back then how important it was.

My job, whoever my manager was, was to get results. Yes, I was realistic, but I was also purposeful. I have worked to reinforce my core belief of being effective in a way that helps my team win games.

The most important areas of the court are both ends, not the middle. By hook or twist, you have to keep the ball out at one end and into the net at the other.

Offensive, as well as defensive, set-pieces have become more prevalent this season, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side leading the charge, but this is not a new concept.

Long before Arteta, there were young coaches and managers who were keenly aware of the benefits clubs are reaping today.