Stoke manager Tony Pulis has launched a rousing defence of his players in the wake of Patrick Vieira being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association.
The Manchester City midfielder has been brought to book and faces a three-match ban following a challenge on Glenn Whelan that went unpunished by referee Alan Wiley during the 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday.
Pulis believes his team should be given credit for the way they go about their business. He said: "Glenn gets kicked in the groin and he doesn't roll around as if he has been hit by a truck. He got up straight away.
"You don't see our players surrounding the referee or surrounding Vieira and causing loads of trouble. People's perception of us is wrong.
"We have a committed group of players, who give everything in every game. But we are an honest group. Sometimes we are labelled wrongly."
Regarding the FA charge, Pulis added: "We will see what happens. It is down to them."
Midfielder Rory Delap is not surprised former Arsenal star Vieira has been charged.
Delap said: "He has kicked out but we don't make a meal out of things here. If Glenn had it might have been different.
"It was plain to see and should have been spotted at the time. But there were other things that were not spotted."
Delap was referring to Ryan Shawcross's late effort that was disallowed by Wiley for a challenge on goalkeeper Shay Given.
He said: "Someone spoke to Shay after the game and he said it wasn't a foul, which makes it even worse.
"The referee told us you couldn't challenge the goalkeeper in the six-yard box. That's a new one to me."
