Time to play the youngsters?

Now that the Potters are safe from any threat of relegation – is now the time to throw on some of the younger players?

Tony Pulis seems ready to give at least one of the younger, fringe players a chance in this Sunday’s Staffordshire derby against Wolves with Louis Moult apparently primed for his first ever senior start if TP decides to rest Ricardo Fuller.

The club are concerned that Ric could pick up his tenth yellow card of the season, which will mean he will miss the home match against Bolton and the trip to Chelsea. The FA’s end of season yellow card amnesty kicks in after Sunday and he’ll then be safe from any chance of a late suspension if he gets another booking after that.

It will cap a good season for Moult if he’s given the chance after signing his first ever professional contract last month with a two year deal. The 17 year old has scored eight goals in seventeen appearances for the Academy this season and can be regarded as a very local lad, being born just a mile away from the Brit.

As for who else could be bloodied in the final run-in, TP’s options are limited. Diego Arismendi would be a natural choice, but he’s on loan at Brighton for the rest of the season as is Ben Marshall who’s at Carlisle after earlier loan spells at Northampton and Cheltenham. Marshall has netted a creditable seven goals whilst away from the Brit. 19 year old Matthew Lund is another who’s waiting for his chance in the senior team. He joined the Potters from Crewe last summer along with Marshall and has been a regular starter for the Reserves. Ryan Shotton was one that impressed many fans during pre-season and he’s continued to impress whilst on loan at Barnsley and we’d expect him to challenge for a place on the bench next year if he’s not sold on.



Vital Stoke