Stoke vs Spurs preview

High-flying Spurs visit the Brit on Saturday in stark contrast to their last visit here in 2008. At that time they seemed to be heading for relegation and their 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Potters only served to hasten the departure of their boss, Juande Ramos who was sacked after the game. Harry Redknapp took over and they’ve never looked back since, but we gave them another shock when we picked up our first win at White Hart Lane since 1977 in the first leg back in October.

Vital Quotes:

As usual, Big Tone is warning players and fans alike to watch out as his close friend and former boss, Harry Redknapp arrives at the Brit:

‘The last 19 months at this club have been brilliant and it has been an exciting journey but we mustn’t take our foot off the pedal,’ said Pulis.

‘The club and supporters have to recognise you can soon slip.

Sky Sports link

Stoke City Team News:

Ryan Shawcross is available again after his three match ban, but we’ll have to wait and see if he makes an immediate return or if Pulis decides to stay with the back row that has maintained Stoke’s record of just one defeat in the League this year.

It’ll be interesting to see if Tuncay has thrown off the sulks that accompanied his early substitution along with Mamady Sidibe last week, but you can’t deny that their replacements (Dave Kitson and Ricardo Fuller) have both earned the right to a place in tomorrow’s starting eleven.

Player to watch: Dave Kitson

Dave Kitson has certainly had an unfair share of downs with few ups since joining from Reading 18 months ago, but just recently he seems to have regained the form we all knew he had, but which we’ve never managed to see much of it at Stoke. He’s now back in the frame after scoring in the FA Cup win over Man City and doing well with Ric Fuller last week when they came on as subs to rejuvenate a flagging Stoke side to almost snatch all three points against Villa last week.

Spurs Team News:

We can’t help but be pleased to hear that Jermain Defoe is out with a hamstring injury and it doesn’t appear that Jermaine Jenas will be risked despite returning to training after a groin injury.

Player to watch: Peter Crouch

The lanky striker is certain to be the England plane to South Africa this summer and will give our own not-so-short defenders a testing time. He could be the one reason that Ryan Shawcross will make a swift return if he’s fit.

Match Facts & Stats

Ref Watch:

Mike Dean.

Last seen sending off Andy Wilkinson at Fratton Park for a nothing challenge after he heard the home crowd baying for a card. But don’t expect any home side favours from Dean at the Brit.