Kitson deserves a shot!

Dave Kitson`s recent return to the first team has turned many heads. His superbly taken goal against Man City in the FA Cup 5th round replay has been backed up with some lively bursts off the bench. Has Kitson finally arrived?

£5.5 million we shelled out for him in July 2008. He was our big summer signing and the one we all expected so much of. Since then he has failed to live up to expectations and has scored just four times. For a player who bases his game on scoring goals. That is a poor return.

Nonetheless he still has plenty to offer and there are bags of goals waiting to get out if he gets a chance. Tony Pulis said that after Kitson arrived back from Middlesbrough, where he was on-loan, he held talks with the 30 year-old and said that he was raring to make a go of it at Stoke.

His performances of the bench have impressed and with Mama Sidibe in desperate need of a rest, this weekend`s home match with Spurs is the perfect chance for Kitson show everyone how good he is. The fans have backed him through his struggles because we know there is a star player who just needs a couple of games waiting to get out.

Most importantly things have changed since his dismal season last year. Then, we had a midfield dominated by the likes of Salif Diao, Amdy Faye and Seyi Olofinjana. All of them defensive minded, none of them with a creative bone in their body. Now we have the likes of Etherington, Whelan and the ever present throws of Delap that give plenty of opportunities for the strikers. Coupled with creative sorts Fuller and Tuncay, Kitson won`t be short of ammunition. But most importantly he looks happy at long last.

Fuller is likely to play on Saturday following Tuncay`s outburst and although Pulis loves the idea of Fuller and Sidibe, the Malian looks tired. That only leaves Kitson. So give him a go!




Vital Stoke