We may be one of the League’s big spenders and taking on a club that has been banned from signing any more players until 2011 but there is no doubt that the Potters are the underdogs against the side that has picked up maximum points from the first four games.
Vital Quotes:
Being the underdog is how we Stokies like it but TP is very concerned that we may get complacent this season and he’s keen to banish any thoughts of autmatic safety with the season only just underway.
‘We have to realise that where we are and that the Premier League is a jungle.
We mustn’t get ideas above our station’
Stoke City Team News:
With Tuncay having played two international matches in the past week (scoring two goals in the process) he seems likely to be on the bench along with Ricardo Fuller with Dave Kitson starting up front. Pulis seems ready to pack the defence with Robert Huth getting his first start after completing two full weeks of training with his new team-mates.
Player to watch: Kitson and Faye
Kit’s new found confidence, culminating in his first two goals for the Potters, will give us another string to our bow. Abdoulaye Faye’s reliability and experience at the back will also be crucial to the Potters getting any sort of positive result from Chelsea.
Chelsea Team News:
Much has been made of Chelsea losing 20 of their squad to international duty over the past two weeks compared to the Potters’ four, but with players like Terry, Lampard, Drogba and Anelka (to name but four) this has to be one of the biggest tests of the season down at the Brit.
Player to watch: Frank Lampard
Awesome in midweek with two goals for England against Croatia and will still be on a high for the match against the Potters.
Match Facts & Stats
Last year’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea was one of only four at Fortress Britannia last season. But Potters’ fans will have been far more dismayed at seeing a one goal lead for the Potters disappear into a 2-1 defeat in the last five minutes at Stamford Bridge.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 19th Sept: Bolton (away) kick-off: 3pm
Tues 22nd Sept: Blackpool (home) kick-off: 7.45pm – Carling Cup
Sat 26th Sept: Man United (home) kick-off: 3pm
