Stoke have been heavily criticised of late, and deservedly so. It could have all been so different but a lack of effort saw Stoke surrender away at Grimsby when we just thought we were getting away.
A 6-0 drubbing courtesy of Notts Forest followed this and we moved to the foot of the table. Stoke threw themselves a lifeline beating Walsall at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday night but this was followed by a disappointing loss to Burnley, the second of 3 vital home games in the space of 8 days.
This is without doubt Stoke’s biggest game so far, quite frankly the loser of this game is quite possibly going back to where they escaped from at the end of last season.
Stoke are strengthened by the return of Andy Cooke to action after his long spell out of the team and he should figure in the game, giving us some strength and holding the ball up in the final third.
I expect our line-up to look similar to this.
BANKS
THOMAS HANDYSIDE SHTANIUK HALL
GUDJONSON GUNNARSSON O’CONNOR HOEKSTRA
MILLS GREENACRE
Man to watch, defiantly Peter Hoekstra on the right win, purely for his entertainment value, he has some excellent skills and can beat players with ease. He is also a great crosser of the ball.
My Prediction, well I hope desperately for a Stoke win. On top of their game Stoke are a great side. A defeat would be a disaster and a draw would be unacceptable.
No doubt about it Stoke need 3 points from this game and that’s all I’ll settle for.
Potters 2 -0 Brighton.