After another quiet week with no comings and Craddock leaving, not forgetting the forgettable display against Barnsley in midweek, the Potters now have Pulis’ former Green army at the Brit, now led by Ian Holloway.
Stoke will have to more on their toes than they managed in the goalless draw against the Tykes against a side that is two places above the Potters after a similar start to the season.
Vital Quotes:
On loan defender, Gabby Zakuani echoed the sentiments of most fans after Tuesday’s match: ‘Maybe we grind out results more now when last season. With the loan players we did have, we got it down on the floor a bit more.’ Gabby told the official site.
‘We’ve got a solid base but we just need to get more goals. We should be punishing teams, especially at home, and no disrespect to teams like Barnsley, but we should be going out and beating them. We missed loads of chances and I think that’s the only problem really.
But at least the team seem to be sharing fans’ disapointment as he summed up the teams’ mood: ‘Everybody was feeling down. We were all frustrated just like the crowd.’
Stoke City Team News:
With Jody Craddock recalled by Wolves, it’s looks like a return for Clint Hill in defence. Mamady Sidibe is likely to return as Ricardo Fuller’s strike partner after, what can only be politely called, a less then successful start for Jon Parkin on Tuesday night.
Player to watch: Mamady Sidibe
Big Mama proved his worth on Tuesday night by helping to rejuvenate the team in the second half and this should have silenced his doubters for now and, perhaps, also showing why he is Pulis’ preferred choice alongside Fuller – even he doesn’t score too many goals.
Plymouth Argyle Team News:
Plymouth look set to name an unchanged team after their 2-0 win at QPR in midweek as they come to Stoke on the hunt for three wins out of four.
Player to watch: David Norris
Norris notched up his second goal of the season in the win against QPR and the midfielder has been an almost ever present member of the first team since being signed from Bolton in 2002.
Match Facts & Stats
The honours were even last season with two 1-1 draws
Next Fixtures:
Sat 29th Sept: Leicester City (away) kick-off: 3pm
Wed 3rd Oct: West Brom (away) kick-off: 7.45pm
Sat 6th Oct: Colchester (home) kick-off: 3pm
