Yet another ‘must-win’ game (aren’t they all now?), but this is one that the Potters really do need to win as we can’t keep relying on the following pack to keep tripping up as often as we seem to be doing.
A large Stoke following is guaranteed to travel across the Pennines and, all being well, will be celebrating come 5pm on Saturday
Vital Quotes:
Glenn Whelan will be making his first appearance back at Hillsborough since moving to Stoke in January and Owls’ fans will be sure to give the former favourite a hard time.
Tony Pulis has given him a warning to concentrate on the game: ‘When you go back to an old club you can get wrapped up in the occasion rather than the game.
‘He had a smashing time at Hillsborough. They looked after him and he looked after them with his performances. So he has nothing to prove to them.
‘He’s a young player and a good player – and he’s going to be a stalwart for this football club.’
Sheffield Wed Team News:
The Owls have former Potter, Graham Kavanagh on loan from Sunderland and have also just taken on striker, Bartosz Slusarski on loan from West Brom. Whilst they languish in the drop zone, they are only a couple of points away from safety, so will have every incentive to try and take three points off us.
Player to watch: Deon Burton
Burton will be remembered as one of two goal scorers that got us promoted in the play-off final at Cardiff back in 2002.
Stoke City Team News:
Liam Lawrence is back from suspension just in time as Ricardo Fuller misses the first of two matches after his 10th booking of the season last week along with Ryan Shawcross, which will mean a debut for Ameobi in attack, but whether that will be alongside Sidibe is still in doubt.
Player to watch: Liam Lawrence
A quick return to goal scoring form after missing the last two games through suspension could now be vital in the final run-in.
Match Facts & Stats
We don’t need reminding of the 4-2 defeat back at the Brit last October that saw us concede two goals in the last five minutes.
Next Fixtures:
Monday 7th April: Crystal Palace (home) kick-off: 8pm
