LONDON, May 15, 2011 (AFP) - Stoke manager Tony Pulis admitted his team had lost to the better side after a desperately disappointing FA Cup final display which left the Welshman nursing another Wembley hangover.
Pulis has unhappy memories of Wembley, famously vowing never return to the venue after his Gillingham side lost the 1999 second division play-off final to Manchester City after leading 2-0 with only two minutes to go.
Although the Stoke boss made a triumphant return to Wembley last month, when the Potters crushed Bolton 5-0 to reach the final, Pulis was left with another bitter memory after Manchester City's 1-0 victory.
Pulis said his side had deserved to lose after failing to reproduce the form which had carried them to the final and eighth place in the Premier League.
"I think we've reached a level of performances over the past six or seven weeks that have been very very good," he said.
"I think the greatest disappointment is that we've come here today and not reached that level. Some of the players afterwards are disappointed with themselves for not reaching that level.
"I have nothing but full congratulations for Manchester City -- they were the better team and they deserved to win the game. It's difficult for me to stand here and say that, but that's the way it was."
Pulis said the loss equalled the sting of defeat he experienced in the play-off final against City at Wembley 12 years ago.
But he was bullish about Stoke's prospects after another season of steady improvement.
"We've had a great season. To be eighth in the Premier League, to have got to an FA Cup final, to stay in the Premiership for a fourth consecutive year and to be in Europe next year is a fantastic achievement," he said.
"So the big picture is very good -- it's just been a desperately disappointing day today."
Pulis was at a loss to explain his side's subdued final performance.
"It happens. I'd like to say City were very good on the day. The six or seven weeks prior to the game our performance levels have been excellent.
"But overall the level of performance today has not been as good at what it was over the past six or seven weeks. And when you play against the top top teams you need to bring your A-game and we just fell short of that."
"But the players are human beings. But take this game away from it and the lads have done brilliantly today. They're just desperately disappointed."
Pulis said Stoke were unlikely to splash out in an attempt to reach the next tier in English football's top flight.
"We can't afford to throw fortunes at it and we won't throw fortunes at it. We've got to build a football club that's stable," he said.
"In today's world there's so many clubs that have got themselves relegated and got themselves into a lot of trouble. If we got relegated tomorrow then the football club would be in a very good position to keep all their players and run for three years in the Championship with no problems.
"Financially the club is in a position where we could stumble and get back up and move on.
