So after the disappointment of United’s late winner on Sunday it’s back to the League Cup and a visit to West Ham as the Potters look to improve on last season’s Carling Cup run which saw us crash out to Portsmouth by 4-0 at the same stage last season.
Coincidentally, the Hammers are also in the same relegation-threatened situation as Portsmouth were so we’ll hopefully remember that league position is no indication of cup form and give them due care and attention.
TP is likely to ring some changes, but has made it clear that a good cup run is a target this season. That will probably mean a return for Sunday’s hero, Tuncay and a full 90 minutes to show the boss why he should be including him in the Premier League starting eleven.
Vital Quotes:
Tony Pulis has thrown down the gauntlet to Tuncay to go and prove himself: ‘It was a great goal when we needed a bit of inspiration. He can produce things like that, but he needs to do that more often for us’
West Ham Team News:
The Hammers will be looking for a win in a bid to bring some cheer to lift the gloom around Upton Park, but could be without striker Frederic Piquionne, who picked up a knock in Saturday’s defeat at home to Newcastle.
Player to watch: Scott Parker
Always difficult to guarantee who will play in cup ties, but Parker is their joint top scorer, scoring against the Potters just over a month ago and scored a 93rd minute winner against Oxford in the last round.
Stoke City Team News:
Dean Whitehead is available again after his one match ban. We’ll have to see if Ricardo Fuller is risked or whether he’s left behind to recover further from his shoulder injury. What’s more likely is that Tuncay and Eidur Gudjohnsen will get a start along with the likes of Danny Pugh and Andy Wilkinson.
Player to watch: Tuncay
He’s desperate to start amid warnings that his Turkish international place is at risk without regular first team football. His goal on Sunday showed us yet again that he has the talent and we know that he’ll keep chasing like the proverbial headless chicken.
Match Facts & Stats
Next Fixtures:
Saturday 30th October: Everton (away) kick-off: 3pm
