Stoke City away match thread

[Jerseybean]

Staffordshire is our next stop, with a visit to Stoke City and the bet365 Stadium, https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/ and https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/directions-parking/

Head-to-head record, we’ve lost 29, won 20 and drawn 15.

Let’s hope it’s a much better outcome than our last trip, which was the final game of last season, when they inflicted a 4-0 thumping on us in what was a very poor City performance: https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI

They are now debt free, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq5x5e2573qo

They are currently 16th with 11 points following 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats from their first 10 games.

This informative insight from my good friend and Stoke fan Bill:

‘Let’s start by saying that last season was unusual in that we did the double over you. Remember you were 2-0 up at Ashton Gate but Alex Neil’s double half time substitution paid off and 18 year old  academy product Nathan Lowe scored his first (and so far only) goal to win the game 2-3!

Things got even better at the Bet 365 stadium when Steven Schumacher’s side (Alex Neil was booted out as a supporters Xmas present) delivered a very enjoyable 4-0 season finale. In fact we also beat  the Saints 1-0 away the week before and won four out of our last five games.

So we came into this season with some optimism, but even a 5-0 thrashing of Middlesborough in the league cup was not enough to keep Mr Schumacher in his job, so much to most supporters surprise, he  was, probably due to some internal power play by John Walters, a recent director of football appointment, replaced by Narcis Pelach.

To date his five games in charge have resulted in two bore draws, one win and two losses to, interestingly enough, Hull and Middlesbrough, clubs who you have recently drawn with or beaten.

Also of concern is that, like Liam Manning, Pelach is an advocate of building from the back. In one home game 70% of our possession was in our first third, and perhaps not surprisingly we had no shots on their goal. Also like Manning, Pelach considered that the 0 -0 draw that ensued was a “useful point.” Not so the supporters, who on every five metre sideways pass between our centre backs started to yell “attack, attack, attack,” but we never did.

So far, if we ignore a very aberrant 6-1 win against Portsmouth (in which their goalie gifted us two goals and a penalty), Pelach’s record is played four, lost two drawn two, scored two, conceded six. Already there are rumblings that sideways ball is not being enjoyed.

So I think the best a Stoke fan can expect from Tuesday’s encounter is a 0-0 draw, but you never know, the old maxim of no one fancies a cold wet Tuesday night in Stoke, may prevail and we’ll thrash you 1-0.! Let me go look at the weather forecast!”

Officials

Ref. David Webb, assisted by Sam Lewis and Andrew Dallison, fourth official Ross Joyce.

With thanks to Portishead Puffin here’s 40 minutes of fun filled stuff about Stoke. The podcast is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002130m?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Thanks also to PP for sharing this snippet about the small village of Lidice in the Czech Republic and its link with Stoke-on-Trent.

On the 10 June 1942, Nazis entered the mining village of Lidice, shot 173 men, removed all the women and children and razed the village to the ground. The atrocity took place in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, 'The Butcher of Prague', by British-trained Czech resistance fighters.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the response to the brutality of Lidice was led by local GP and Councillor Barnett Stross with the North Staffordshire Miners' Federation. On 6 September 1942, the "Lidice Shall Live" campaign was launched at a mass meeting in the Victoria Hall, Hanley. The campaign was named in defiance of Adolf Hitler's claim that "Lidice Shall Die".

The campaign to rebuild Lidice raised £32,000, which is the equivalent of more than £1.5 million today. Most of this came from miners who donated part of their wages. Lidice was rebuilt after the war, with a memorial and museum commemorating the tragedy.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proud of the city for the role it played in rebuilding the mining village of Lidice. At the inaugural meeting of the Lidice Shall Live campaign, Dr Benes, the Czech President in exile said: "This meeting has made it clear that Lidice has not died: it lives on in the hearts of the people of Stoke-on-Trent at least. From now on, Stoke-on-Trent will live forever in the heart of every Czech citizen."

https://centralbylines.co.uk/uk/the-heart-of-stoke-lies-in-lidice/

Players who have represented both clubs include Luke McNally, Junior Bent, Chris Iwelumo and  Benik Afobe.

Their ex-manager, Steven Schumacher, has a BA Honours Degree in Professional Sports Journalism and Broadcasting. However, it didn’t prevent him getting sacked in September, he was replaced by Narcis Pelach, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g5xynq2p0o

As already mentioned we were thumped in our last game of last season by them, https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI?si=MEeqPWdycRTB2mEE however, we have a reasonably recent away record against them https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/features/classic-matches-stoke-city-a/

Sports Mole is going for a draw: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/preview/preview-stoke-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_555945.html, a 1-1 draw is also predicted here: https://the72.co.uk/2024/10/21/stoke-city-bristol-city-prediction/

They drew 1-1 on Saturday at home to Norwich, here’s what their manager said post-match: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/narcis-pelach-seen-signs-what-9646764

Wouter Burger went off injured against Norwich City and it’s expected that Jordan Thompson will replace him in central midfield.

Their MDT, https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/314690/stoke-city-bristol

History

Stoke City are the world's second oldest professional Football League club.

From the early days as an amateur side playing against other teams in the local area, through to becoming a competitive force in England's world famous Premier League, the Club are very proud of it's football heritage.

Whilst mystery surrounds the exact minor details of the formative years, the same cannot be said about recent times with a first-ever FA Cup Final appearance and the subsequent journey in the UEFA Europa League widening the exposure of Stoke City to football fans around the globe.

1863 - 1888 (In The Beginning)

Record books say City were founded in 1863.

1888 - 1899 (Election Fever)

The Potters were heavily involved in the formation of the Football League and were founder members for it's inaugural season.

1900 - 1909 (Win Or Bust)

Stoke suffered major financial problems with relegation and player wages that exceeded gate receipts leading to an inevitable conclusion.

1910 - 1919 (Rebirth Out Of The Football League

Although not involved within the major league in English football, the Club did pick up several honours in the Birmingham and District and Southern Leagues.

1920 - 1929 (Yo-Yo Club)

The heights of Division One and depths of Division Three were visited in a rollercoaster decade.

1930 - 1939 (Stan's The Man)

The emergence of one player, more than any other, was destined to go down in history.

1940 - 1949 (So Near Yet So Far)

City were all set for some golden years before the Second World War intervened.

1950 - 1959 (A Foreign Affair)

Off the field problems marred the Fifties but there was some light at the end of the tunnel.

1960 - 1969 (The Swinging Sixties)

Just as the music scene revived Britain, a man by the name of Tony Waddington arrived at the Victoria Ground to turn things around.

1970 - 1979 (Waddo Believe It!)

An astonishing decade in which City captured a first major honour, flirted with winning the Division One Championship and played in Europe for the first ever time.

1980 - 1989 (Five Managers, Five Chairmen)

Football had it rough in the Eighties and the headline says it all about City's fortunes.

1990 - 1999 (Two Relegations, A Trophy, A Promotion, A New Stadium and A Takeover)

Everything conceivable happens in the turbulent final decade of the Twentieth Century. Never a dull moment at Stoke City Football Club.

2000 - 2009 (The Decade Of Success)

Wembley Final and Play-Off Final victories followed by the arrival of Tony Pulis see Stoke rise from the third tier of English football to return to the top flight after a wait of 23 years.

2010 - Present Day (Going Global)

Successful seasons against the odds in the Premier League, as well as FA Cup Final and UEFA Europa League appearances see the Club's name spread around the world.

Pubs

This is a good area for decent beers, https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/three-stoke-trent-pubs-included-7121743

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

Harvester - Trentham Lakes, Trentham Lakes District Centre, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TL, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/harvestertrenthamlakesstokeontrent#/

The Poacher's Cottage, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA, https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterPoachersCottage/

The Plough, Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EN, https://hotelescon.com.es/The-Plough-Motel/

The Gardeners Retreat, 6 Sideway Rd, Boothen Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4BJ, https://the-gardeners-retreat.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

The Terrace,185 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BW, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072011134582

Bulls Head, St Johns Square, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3AJ, (01782) 834153, www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar, also good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-Sun, closed till 3pm other days.

Glebe, 35 Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1HG, (01782) 860670, www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses/our-pub-list/glebe.

Well restored 19th-c Joules corner pub, their ales, Weston's cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morris-attributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and big fireplace with coat of arms above, wholesome bar food (not Sun) and all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music Tues, open mike Thurs; children and dogs welcome, benches in small garden, quite handy for station, closed Mon evening, otherwise open all day.

Holy Inadequate, 67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PE, 07771 358238. Drinkers' pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery, good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and scotch eggs, friendly staff; dogs welcome, outdoor covered terrace, open all day Fri-Sun, from 4pm other days.

Further from the ground….

Orange Tree bar and grill, https://theorangetreebarandgrill.co.uk/menu/, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6PG

The Saracens Head, 235 Sandon Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7BL

The Masons Arms, Far Green, Dilke Street, Northwood, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 2LJ

The Royal Oak at Dilhorne, https://www.royaloakdilhorne.co.uk/

New Florence, https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/staffordshire/new-florence?utm_source=exnet&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign=PC_pubpage

Sussex Place, Lightwood Road, Longton, Stoke-On-Trent, ST3 4TP

The Plume of Feathers, https://plumeoffeathersbarlaston.co.uk/, Station Road, Barlaston, Staffordshire, ST12 9DH

Food

Decent Indian’s aplenty….

Namaste Dine, http://namastedine.com/ 61-63 Market Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1BW

The New Royal Balti, 35 Church Street, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

Golden Keg, https://www.goldenkeg.co.uk/( possibly doing two curry’s for the price of one on Tuesday, but please check) 56 Uttoxeter Road, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9NR

Gandhi Indian Restaurant, Saverley Green Road, Hunter Public House, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9QX

Tandoori Knights, 58 Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1BL

Kismet https://www.kismetstoke.com/welcome, 1a Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent, ST6 3EL

Roti Restaurant, 87-89 High Street, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 6AB

Sangam,  30 Kingsway, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1JH, https://www.sangam1.com/

Kashmir Garden, 257 High Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 5EG

Mirchi, http://www.mirchistoke.co.uk/

Alessi, https://www.alessidining.com/ 50 – 54 Church St, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

 

 

 

[NDW4CITY]

Do we think there will be any team changes tomorrow?

Tempted to say if it ain't broke don't fix it, but with one eye on the Leeds game, maybe we could freshen things up a little. Would McGuane be worth a start? How about Sincs coming back in? The back 5 probably picks itself at the moment. Sykes is also back from suspension?

Based on the comments of the Stoke fan above regarding their style of play, I would like to see more of the press we saw at Middlesbrough. So I might go for :

O'Leary

McCrorie (switch from LB) Vyner McNally Tanner

Williams McGuane

Hirakawa Knight Sykes

Wells

Mehmeti and Bird did nothing to be 'dropped' just trying to use the squad in a 3 game week.

Bring Sincs on again in the latter stages to take advantage of any tiredness in their defence.

 

 

[DaveInSA]

I wonder I wonder, if you dare to dream any dream that you could…

…would you dream for a 0-2 away win?

Also, I’m wondering if Hogg has actually worked out that we’re better without the ball (and arguably a better team without Twine). 

I guess the Twine decision will be taken out of his hands as he’s injured, so I fancy us in this one. Go for the high press and win the ball off their defenders mistakes.

I’d much rather us be a “high pressing nightmare” like Bournemouth than a sideways-sideways-backwards-sideways-forwards-sideways-backwards-backwards sort of team - it’s much more fun to watch.

[ExiledAjax]

33 minutes ago, NDW4CITY said:

Do we think there will be any team changes tomorrow?

With a game Saturday, one week off and then another Saturday, midweek, Saturday triple coming up I think we will rotate (it's the same again afterwards). The sports science will dictate it and we need to be rotating now not just for these games but in preparation for the December crunch.

[johnbytheriver]

McCrorie at left back is a liability,despite the fact he put in a tremendous effort in the last game

he never stopped running and never gave up.But he was being turned inside out  by young Doak,and managed to get away with it.Roberts still injured i guess?putting him right back makes sense,but will tanner have the same problem?

[temp]

Game live is on sky+ however if you want to watch a diving,cheating "arse" game (who would) you can watch them on Amazon Prime

[Red Army 75]

The players play with the same grit and determination, no reason why we can’t pick up at least a point.

Come on City

[Norn Iron]

Have arrived in Stoke for tomorrow's game. 

I must start a Northern Ireland's supporters club!

[Davefevs]

16 minutes ago, DaveInSA said:

Also, I’m wondering if Hogg has actually worked out that we’re better without the ball (and arguably a better team without Twine). 

He said post match that his game plan was to control possession (just like any other game), and admitted we failed to do so.  We found a way to win (lovely stuff), but we were pretty poor first half, but ended up going in 2-0 up.  The joy of a low scoring sport!

We didn’t really play on the counterattack either, we just punished them twice as they played out from the back.  In fact in the couple of minutes leading up to our first, we actually knocked it around nicely for the first time all game up to that point.

Here is our WhatsApp group:

 .

So I still think Hogg wanted us to keep trying to play.

I thought second half we tried to keep the ball early on and take the sting out of the game immediately after the restart.  But what he did do after that was two fold (and fair play):

- got Armstrong on to give us someone to chase clearances (60 mins) - Knight and Wells still getting passed around

- made subs and switched to a 541 (71 mins) and basically defended stoutly

I think you only do that because you have a lead to defend (and it’s completely your right to do so).  I think you’d have kittens trying to do that from the start of the game at 0:0.

I don’t see him breaking away from the approach we’ve used all season.  He’ll believe that if we execute it we can be successful.  But he may think that if we can get ahead he has the defensive ability of last season to use if need be.

Hope that makes sense.

[johnbytheriver]

i know we are on sky sports+ but are we on Robins TV tomorrow?

[Norn Iron]

17 minutes ago, johnbytheriver said:

i know we are on sky sports+ but are we on Robins TV tomorrow?

Robins TV live football only applies to people living outside of the UK as from this season. Sky TV has exclusive rights.

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Norn Iron
.

[BCFC31]

Stoke is a weird team for me on paper they have a really quality side names like

Edna Stevens 

Ben Pearson 

micheal Rose 

Wouter burger 

Tom cannon 

Bae Jun-ho 

Ben wilmot 

Ben Gibson 

Andrew moran 

Million manhoef 

 

All top top  championship players imo! 

 

just need to close down there passing lanes and keep a decent press don't think there back line is the quickest and I know they play with a high line so could get this lot on the counter with armstrongs pace. Let's see.

[Malago]

Got a good feeling about this one.  We’ve won 4 of our last 5 there, and let’s face we were very much already on the beach the last game of last season.

1 -0 to us.  Wells in the 85th minute.

[mozo]

Arguably, the 5 teams above us each have harder games than we do. So, an unexpected back to back away win could put us in a really nice position.

 

[Norn Iron]

1 hour ago, BCFC31 said:

 

just need to close down there passing lanes and keep a decent press don't think there back line is the quickest and I know they play with a high line so could get this lot on the counter 

My stoke friend agrees saying that their defence isn't the quickest. Someone tell Chris Hogg

Edited 13 hours ago by Norn Iron
.

[shahanshahan]

Team will be in black tomorrow night

 

[Malago]

3 minutes ago, shahanshahan said:

Team will be in black tomorrow night

Our Undertaker’s strip.

Let’s hope we can bury Soke.

 

Edited 12 hours ago by Malago

[REDOXO]

3 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Staffordshire is our next stop, with a visit to Stoke City and the bet365 Stadium, https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/ and https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/directions-parking/

Head-to-head record, we’ve lost 29, won 20 and drawn 15.

Let’s hope it’s a much better outcome than our last trip, which was the final game of last season, when they inflicted a 4-0 thumping on us in what was a very poor City performance: https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI

They are now debt free, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq5x5e2573qo

They are currently 16th with 11 points following 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats from their first 10 games.

This informative insight from my good friend and Stoke fan Bill:

‘Let’s start by saying that last season was unusual in that we did the double over you. Remember you were 2-0 up at Ashton Gate but Alex Neil’s double half time substitution paid off and 18 year old  academy product Nathan Lowe scored his first (and so far only) goal to win the game 2-3!

Things got even better at the Bet 365 stadium when Steven Schumacher’s side (Alex Neil was booted out as a supporters Xmas present) delivered a very enjoyable 4-0 season finale. In fact we also beat  the Saints 1-0 away the week before and won four out of our last five games.

So we came into this season with some optimism, but even a 5-0 thrashing of Middlesborough in the league cup was not enough to keep Mr Schumacher in his job, so much to most supporters surprise, he  was, probably due to some internal power play by John Walters, a recent director of football appointment, replaced by Narcis Pelach.

To date his five games in charge have resulted in two bore draws, one win and two losses to, interestingly enough, Hull and Middlesbrough, clubs who you have recently drawn with or beaten.

Also of concern is that, like Liam Manning, Pelach is an advocate of building from the back. In one home game 70% of our possession was in our first third, and perhaps not surprisingly we had no shots on their goal. Also like Manning, Pelach considered that the 0 -0 draw that ensued was a “useful point.” Not so the supporters, who on every five metre sideways pass between our centre backs started to yell “attack, attack, attack,” but we never did.

So far, if we ignore a very aberrant 6-1 win against Portsmouth (in which their goalie gifted us two goals and a penalty), Pelach’s record is played four, lost two drawn two, scored two, conceded six. Already there are rumblings that sideways ball is not being enjoyed.

So I think the best a Stoke fan can expect from Tuesday’s encounter is a 0-0 draw, but you never know, the old maxim of no one fancies a cold wet Tuesday night in Stoke, may prevail and we’ll thrash you 1-0.! Let me go look at the weather forecast!”

Officials

Ref. David Webb, assisted by Sam Lewis and Andrew Dallison, fourth official Ross Joyce.

With thanks to Portishead Puffin here’s 40 minutes of fun filled stuff about Stoke. The podcast is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002130m?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Thanks also to PP for sharing this snippet about the small village of Lidice in the Czech Republic and its link with Stoke-on-Trent.

On the 10 June 1942, Nazis entered the mining village of Lidice, shot 173 men, removed all the women and children and razed the village to the ground. The atrocity took place in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, 'The Butcher of Prague', by British-trained Czech resistance fighters.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the response to the brutality of Lidice was led by local GP and Councillor Barnett Stross with the North Staffordshire Miners' Federation. On 6 September 1942, the "Lidice Shall Live" campaign was launched at a mass meeting in the Victoria Hall, Hanley. The campaign was named in defiance of Adolf Hitler's claim that "Lidice Shall Die".

The campaign to rebuild Lidice raised £32,000, which is the equivalent of more than £1.5 million today. Most of this came from miners who donated part of their wages. Lidice was rebuilt after the war, with a memorial and museum commemorating the tragedy.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proud of the city for the role it played in rebuilding the mining village of Lidice. At the inaugural meeting of the Lidice Shall Live campaign, Dr Benes, the Czech President in exile said: "This meeting has made it clear that Lidice has not died: it lives on in the hearts of the people of Stoke-on-Trent at least. From now on, Stoke-on-Trent will live forever in the heart of every Czech citizen."

https://centralbylines.co.uk/uk/the-heart-of-stoke-lies-in-lidice/

Players who have represented both clubs include Luke McNally, Junior Bent, Chris Iwelumo and  Benik Afobe.

Their ex-manager, Steven Schumacher, has a BA Honours Degree in Professional Sports Journalism and Broadcasting. However, it didn’t prevent him getting sacked in September, he was replaced by Narcis Pelach, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g5xynq2p0o

As already mentioned we were thumped in our last game of last season by them, https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI?si=MEeqPWdycRTB2mEE however, we have a reasonably recent away record against them https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/features/classic-matches-stoke-city-a/

Sports Mole is going for a draw: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/preview/preview-stoke-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_555945.html, a 1-1 draw is also predicted here: https://the72.co.uk/2024/10/21/stoke-city-bristol-city-prediction/

They drew 1-1 on Saturday at home to Norwich, here’s what their manager said post-match: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/narcis-pelach-seen-signs-what-9646764

Wouter Burger went off injured against Norwich City and it’s expected that Jordan Thompson will replace him in central midfield.

Their MDT, https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/314690/stoke-city-bristol

History

Stoke City are the world's second oldest professional Football League club.

From the early days as an amateur side playing against other teams in the local area, through to becoming a competitive force in England's world famous Premier League, the Club are very proud of it's football heritage.

Whilst mystery surrounds the exact minor details of the formative years, the same cannot be said about recent times with a first-ever FA Cup Final appearance and the subsequent journey in the UEFA Europa League widening the exposure of Stoke City to football fans around the globe.

1863 - 1888 (In The Beginning)

Record books say City were founded in 1863.

1888 - 1899 (Election Fever)

The Potters were heavily involved in the formation of the Football League and were founder members for it's inaugural season.

1900 - 1909 (Win Or Bust)

Stoke suffered major financial problems with relegation and player wages that exceeded gate receipts leading to an inevitable conclusion.

1910 - 1919 (Rebirth Out Of The Football League

Although not involved within the major league in English football, the Club did pick up several honours in the Birmingham and District and Southern Leagues.

1920 - 1929 (Yo-Yo Club)

The heights of Division One and depths of Division Three were visited in a rollercoaster decade.

1930 - 1939 (Stan's The Man)

The emergence of one player, more than any other, was destined to go down in history.

1940 - 1949 (So Near Yet So Far)

City were all set for some golden years before the Second World War intervened.

1950 - 1959 (A Foreign Affair)

Off the field problems marred the Fifties but there was some light at the end of the tunnel.

1960 - 1969 (The Swinging Sixties)

Just as the music scene revived Britain, a man by the name of Tony Waddington arrived at the Victoria Ground to turn things around.

1970 - 1979 (Waddo Believe It!)

An astonishing decade in which City captured a first major honour, flirted with winning the Division One Championship and played in Europe for the first ever time.

1980 - 1989 (Five Managers, Five Chairmen)

Football had it rough in the Eighties and the headline says it all about City's fortunes.

1990 - 1999 (Two Relegations, A Trophy, A Promotion, A New Stadium and A Takeover)

Everything conceivable happens in the turbulent final decade of the Twentieth Century. Never a dull moment at Stoke City Football Club.

2000 - 2009 (The Decade Of Success)

Wembley Final and Play-Off Final victories followed by the arrival of Tony Pulis see Stoke rise from the third tier of English football to return to the top flight after a wait of 23 years.

2010 - Present Day (Going Global)

Successful seasons against the odds in the Premier League, as well as FA Cup Final and UEFA Europa League appearances see the Club's name spread around the world.

Pubs

This is a good area for decent beers, https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/three-stoke-trent-pubs-included-7121743

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

Harvester - Trentham Lakes, Trentham Lakes District Centre, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TL, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/harvestertrenthamlakesstokeontrent#/

The Poacher's Cottage, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA, https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterPoachersCottage/

The Plough, Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EN, https://hotelescon.com.es/The-Plough-Motel/

The Gardeners Retreat, 6 Sideway Rd, Boothen Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4BJ, https://the-gardeners-retreat.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

The Terrace,185 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BW, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072011134582

Bulls Head, St Johns Square, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3AJ, (01782) 834153, www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar, also good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-Sun, closed till 3pm other days.

Glebe, 35 Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1HG, (01782) 860670, www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses/our-pub-list/glebe.

Well restored 19th-c Joules corner pub, their ales, Weston's cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morris-attributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and big fireplace with coat of arms above, wholesome bar food (not Sun) and all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music Tues, open mike Thurs; children and dogs welcome, benches in small garden, quite handy for station, closed Mon evening, otherwise open all day.

Holy Inadequate, 67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PE, 07771 358238. Drinkers' pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery, good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and scotch eggs, friendly staff; dogs welcome, outdoor covered terrace, open all day Fri-Sun, from 4pm other days.

Further from the ground….

Orange Tree bar and grill, https://theorangetreebarandgrill.co.uk/menu/, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6PG

The Saracens Head, 235 Sandon Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7BL

The Masons Arms, Far Green, Dilke Street, Northwood, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 2LJ

The Royal Oak at Dilhorne, https://www.royaloakdilhorne.co.uk/

New Florence, https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/staffordshire/new-florence?utm_source=exnet&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign=PC_pubpage

Sussex Place, Lightwood Road, Longton, Stoke-On-Trent, ST3 4TP

The Plume of Feathers, https://plumeoffeathersbarlaston.co.uk/, Station Road, Barlaston, Staffordshire, ST12 9DH

Food

Decent Indian’s aplenty….

Namaste Dine, http://namastedine.com/ 61-63 Market Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1BW

The New Royal Balti, 35 Church Street, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

Golden Keg, https://www.goldenkeg.co.uk/( possibly doing two curry’s for the price of one on Tuesday, but please check) 56 Uttoxeter Road, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9NR

Gandhi Indian Restaurant, Saverley Green Road, Hunter Public House, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9QX

Tandoori Knights, 58 Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1BL

Kismet https://www.kismetstoke.com/welcome, 1a Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent, ST6 3EL

Roti Restaurant, 87-89 High Street, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 6AB

Sangam,  30 Kingsway, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1JH, https://www.sangam1.com/

Kashmir Garden, 257 High Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 5EG

Mirchi, http://www.mirchistoke.co.uk/

Alessi, https://www.alessidining.com/ 50 – 54 Church St, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

 

 

 

@BigTone!!! 

[Davefevs]

57 minutes ago, mozo said:

Arguably, the 5 teams above us each have harder games than we do. So, an unexpected back to back away win could put us in a really nice position.

 

The one game league table, teams we can overtake, teams that can overtake us (goal diff and 6 pointers ignored):

[ralphindevon]

After an incredible run of results at their gaff it all came tumbling down on the last day of the season and I’m not expecting us to start another good run tomorrow.

Saturday was an emotional day and that added emotion probably went a way to securing us 3 points, it’ll be very difficult to recreate that against a Stoke team playing pretty well.

A big game in our household and I hope my prediction is wrong and I have bragging rights over my Stoke supporting wife.

And just to balance out my negative thoughts, I’ve a feeling we’ll get something v Leeds. 

[ExiledAjax]

6 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The one game league table, teams we can overtake, teams that can overtake us (goal diff and 6 pointers ignored):

This league. Honestly.

Yes not all can overtake us, but it's a bit silly when a draw between the two teams below you could see both of them over take you...yeh it's that kind of season.

[eardun]

I think we’ll just see one rotation change to the starting line-up - Armstrong for Wells. 

[mozo]

12 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

The one game league table, teams we can overtake, teams that can overtake us (goal diff and 6 pointers ignored):

Sorry Dave, you can't dampen my optimism 

The two teams directly below us play each other, so only one of those can overtake us. [Edit: shhh don't mention the draw].

Swansea will have a tough time away at Sheffield Wednesday.

Hull play Burnley, so good luck to them.

Preston host Norwich. Tough one.

And those are the teams which can actually surpass our points total.

So I'm not worried about other teams, and I'm certain that 3 points tomorrow will leave us with a very attractive league table.

Winning the game is the bit I'm least certain about. But I'd bloody love it if we did.

 

4 minutes ago, eardun said:

I think we’ll just see one rotation change to the starting line-up - Armstrong for Wells. 

I would, personally. But I'm happy with what we get.

Edited 12 hours ago by mozo

[Davefevs]

 

i wasn’t dampening it.  Just showing the range of teams.  We could create some distance between us and teams below.

[mozo]

25 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

 

i wasn’t dampening it.  Just showing the range of teams.  We could create some distance between us and teams below.

Thanks Dave, it could be a beauty of a gameweek and I'm going to hold onto that dream for dear life until we're 3-0 down tomorrow 

[cidercity1987]

37 minutes ago, ExiledAjax said:

This league. Honestly.

Yes not all can overtake us, but it's a bit silly when a draw between the two teams below you could see both of them over take you...yeh it's that kind of season.

I don't understand these type of posts , particularly from mathematically aware people like yourself. 

Nothing unusual about 5 points between 7th and 19th after 10 games. That 23 points difference after 46 extrapolated. Which if anything is a bigger difference than normal in any EFL league.

[22A]

Oh dear; City are going to get beat again. At least that the view of some Stoke fans. I don't call a 2-0 win a smash and grab.

Stoke City v Bristol City | Oatcake Fanzine "Need to and hopefully should win this. Bristol had a good win today but was a smash and grab and their players might be feeling it come Tuesday".

"Bristol City got a very good win today however Stoke should be reasonably confident after 3 good results and a strong second half v a decent Norwich side"

 

[jbcfc]

anyone recommend places to park near the ground?

[ExiledAjax]

52 minutes ago, cidercity1987 said:

I don't understand these type of posts , particularly from mathematically aware people like yourself. 

Nothing unusual about 5 points between 7th and 19th after 10 games. That 23 points difference after 46 extrapolated. Which if anything is a bigger difference than normal in any EFL league.

Many thanks for describing me as "mathematically aware". That's going straight on my CV. Right next to another tribute I once received - being "unexpectedly fun".

You're correct it's not unusual. I still find it entertaining, and always will. The point about both Derby and Oxford being able to leapfrog us if they draw and we lose, that is a slight mathematical oddity. 

Hopefully we win and get ourselves up properly into the top 10.

 

Edited 11 hours ago by ExiledAjax

[ashton_fan]

A difficult match but we'll be looking to extend our 5-match unbeaten run as a minimum. McNally has really improved, felt sorry for him in those first two matches after Dickie's injury as he was obviously rusty having not played in any pre-season matches and playing with new team-mates, now I'm not sure he'd be dropped even if Dickie was fit.

[jbcfc]

1 minute ago, ashton_fan said:

I'm not sure he'd be dropped even if Dickie was fit.

he was our 23/24 player of the season…

nice to see McNally improving though.

[Jerseybean]

41 minutes ago, jbcfc said:

anyone recommend places to park near the ground?

https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/directions-parking/

[lenred]

42 minutes ago, jbcfc said:

anyone recommend places to park near the ground?

Always paid parking on the trading estate that the ground is part of.   Just drive towards the ground and follow the signs.  

[Shauntaylor85]

16 minutes ago, jbcfc said:

he was our 23/24 player of the season…

nice to see McNally improving though.

Dickie should start. Genuinely think we can play all three and we will be a better side in a 3.4.2.1

[BritAbroad]

I think we can get a result there - I'm hoping Armstrong will start and we do a high press against their defence.

[City oz]

15 hours ago, Jerseybean said:

Staffordshire is our next stop, with a visit to Stoke City and the bet365 Stadium, https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/ and https://www.stokecityfc.com/club/bet365-stadium/directions-parking/

Head-to-head record, we’ve lost 29, won 20 and drawn 15.

Let’s hope it’s a much better outcome than our last trip, which was the final game of last season, when they inflicted a 4-0 thumping on us in what was a very poor City performance: https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI

They are now debt free, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq5x5e2573qo

They are currently 16th with 11 points following 2 wins, 3 draws and 5 defeats from their first 10 games.

This informative insight from my good friend and Stoke fan Bill:

‘Let’s start by saying that last season was unusual in that we did the double over you. Remember you were 2-0 up at Ashton Gate but Alex Neil’s double half time substitution paid off and 18 year old  academy product Nathan Lowe scored his first (and so far only) goal to win the game 2-3!

Things got even better at the Bet 365 stadium when Steven Schumacher’s side (Alex Neil was booted out as a supporters Xmas present) delivered a very enjoyable 4-0 season finale. In fact we also beat  the Saints 1-0 away the week before and won four out of our last five games.

So we came into this season with some optimism, but even a 5-0 thrashing of Middlesborough in the league cup was not enough to keep Mr Schumacher in his job, so much to most supporters surprise, he  was, probably due to some internal power play by John Walters, a recent director of football appointment, replaced by Narcis Pelach.

To date his five games in charge have resulted in two bore draws, one win and two losses to, interestingly enough, Hull and Middlesbrough, clubs who you have recently drawn with or beaten.

Also of concern is that, like Liam Manning, Pelach is an advocate of building from the back. In one home game 70% of our possession was in our first third, and perhaps not surprisingly we had no shots on their goal. Also like Manning, Pelach considered that the 0 -0 draw that ensued was a “useful point.” Not so the supporters, who on every five metre sideways pass between our centre backs started to yell “attack, attack, attack,” but we never did.

So far, if we ignore a very aberrant 6-1 win against Portsmouth (in which their goalie gifted us two goals and a penalty), Pelach’s record is played four, lost two drawn two, scored two, conceded six. Already there are rumblings that sideways ball is not being enjoyed.

So I think the best a Stoke fan can expect from Tuesday’s encounter is a 0-0 draw, but you never know, the old maxim of no one fancies a cold wet Tuesday night in Stoke, may prevail and we’ll thrash you 1-0.! Let me go look at the weather forecast!”

Officials

Ref. David Webb, assisted by Sam Lewis and Andrew Dallison, fourth official Ross Joyce.

With thanks to Portishead Puffin here’s 40 minutes of fun filled stuff about Stoke. The podcast is here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002130m?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Thanks also to PP for sharing this snippet about the small village of Lidice in the Czech Republic and its link with Stoke-on-Trent.

On the 10 June 1942, Nazis entered the mining village of Lidice, shot 173 men, removed all the women and children and razed the village to the ground. The atrocity took place in retaliation for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, 'The Butcher of Prague', by British-trained Czech resistance fighters.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the response to the brutality of Lidice was led by local GP and Councillor Barnett Stross with the North Staffordshire Miners' Federation. On 6 September 1942, the "Lidice Shall Live" campaign was launched at a mass meeting in the Victoria Hall, Hanley. The campaign was named in defiance of Adolf Hitler's claim that "Lidice Shall Die".

The campaign to rebuild Lidice raised £32,000, which is the equivalent of more than £1.5 million today. Most of this came from miners who donated part of their wages. Lidice was rebuilt after the war, with a memorial and museum commemorating the tragedy.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proud of the city for the role it played in rebuilding the mining village of Lidice. At the inaugural meeting of the Lidice Shall Live campaign, Dr Benes, the Czech President in exile said: "This meeting has made it clear that Lidice has not died: it lives on in the hearts of the people of Stoke-on-Trent at least. From now on, Stoke-on-Trent will live forever in the heart of every Czech citizen."

https://centralbylines.co.uk/uk/the-heart-of-stoke-lies-in-lidice/

Players who have represented both clubs include Luke McNally, Junior Bent, Chris Iwelumo and  Benik Afobe.

Their ex-manager, Steven Schumacher, has a BA Honours Degree in Professional Sports Journalism and Broadcasting. However, it didn’t prevent him getting sacked in September, he was replaced by Narcis Pelach, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4g5xynq2p0o

As already mentioned we were thumped in our last game of last season by them, https://youtu.be/qbBefxp23EI?si=MEeqPWdycRTB2mEE however, we have a reasonably recent away record against them https://www.bcfc.co.uk/video/features/classic-matches-stoke-city-a/

Sports Mole is going for a draw: https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/stoke-city/preview/preview-stoke-vs-bristol-city-prediction-team-news-lineups_555945.html, a 1-1 draw is also predicted here: https://the72.co.uk/2024/10/21/stoke-city-bristol-city-prediction/

They drew 1-1 on Saturday at home to Norwich, here’s what their manager said post-match: https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/narcis-pelach-seen-signs-what-9646764

Wouter Burger went off injured against Norwich City and it’s expected that Jordan Thompson will replace him in central midfield.

Their MDT, https://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/314690/stoke-city-bristol

History

Stoke City are the world's second oldest professional Football League club.

From the early days as an amateur side playing against other teams in the local area, through to becoming a competitive force in England's world famous Premier League, the Club are very proud of it's football heritage.

Whilst mystery surrounds the exact minor details of the formative years, the same cannot be said about recent times with a first-ever FA Cup Final appearance and the subsequent journey in the UEFA Europa League widening the exposure of Stoke City to football fans around the globe.

1863 - 1888 (In The Beginning)

Record books say City were founded in 1863.

1888 - 1899 (Election Fever)

The Potters were heavily involved in the formation of the Football League and were founder members for it's inaugural season.

1900 - 1909 (Win Or Bust)

Stoke suffered major financial problems with relegation and player wages that exceeded gate receipts leading to an inevitable conclusion.

1910 - 1919 (Rebirth Out Of The Football League

Although not involved within the major league in English football, the Club did pick up several honours in the Birmingham and District and Southern Leagues.

1920 - 1929 (Yo-Yo Club)

The heights of Division One and depths of Division Three were visited in a rollercoaster decade.

1930 - 1939 (Stan's The Man)

The emergence of one player, more than any other, was destined to go down in history.

1940 - 1949 (So Near Yet So Far)

City were all set for some golden years before the Second World War intervened.

1950 - 1959 (A Foreign Affair)

Off the field problems marred the Fifties but there was some light at the end of the tunnel.

1960 - 1969 (The Swinging Sixties)

Just as the music scene revived Britain, a man by the name of Tony Waddington arrived at the Victoria Ground to turn things around.

1970 - 1979 (Waddo Believe It!)

An astonishing decade in which City captured a first major honour, flirted with winning the Division One Championship and played in Europe for the first ever time.

1980 - 1989 (Five Managers, Five Chairmen)

Football had it rough in the Eighties and the headline says it all about City's fortunes.

1990 - 1999 (Two Relegations, A Trophy, A Promotion, A New Stadium and A Takeover)

Everything conceivable happens in the turbulent final decade of the Twentieth Century. Never a dull moment at Stoke City Football Club.

2000 - 2009 (The Decade Of Success)

Wembley Final and Play-Off Final victories followed by the arrival of Tony Pulis see Stoke rise from the third tier of English football to return to the top flight after a wait of 23 years.

2010 - Present Day (Going Global)

Successful seasons against the odds in the Premier League, as well as FA Cup Final and UEFA Europa League appearances see the Club's name spread around the world.

Pubs

This is a good area for decent beers, https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/three-stoke-trent-pubs-included-7121743

Power League Sports Club, Dennis Viollet Avenue, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TN

Harvester - Trentham Lakes, Trentham Lakes District Centre, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4TL, https://www.harvester.co.uk/restaurants/eastandwestmidlands/harvestertrenthamlakesstokeontrent#/

The Poacher's Cottage, Stone Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8AA, https://www.facebook.com/HarvesterPoachersCottage/

The Plough, Campbell Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EN, https://hotelescon.com.es/The-Plough-Motel/

The Gardeners Retreat, 6 Sideway Rd, Boothen Green, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4BJ, https://the-gardeners-retreat.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

The Terrace,185 Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2BW, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072011134582

Bulls Head, St Johns Square, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 3AJ, (01782) 834153, www.titanicbrewery.co.uk

Old-fashioned two-room tap for Titanic with up to ten real ales (including guests) from horseshoe bar, also good selection of Belgian beers, real ciders and wines; well cared-for interior with varnished tables on wood or carpeted floors, coal fire; monthly live folk music, bar billiards and table skittles; drinking area outside (may be barbecue if Port Vale are at home), open all day Fri-Sun, closed till 3pm other days.

Glebe, 35 Glebe Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 1HG, (01782) 860670, www.joulesbrewery.co.uk/our-taphouses/our-pub-list/glebe.

Well restored 19th-c Joules corner pub, their ales, Weston's cider and good reasonably priced wines from central mahogany counter, William Morris-attributed leaded windows, bare boards and panelling, some civic portraits and big fireplace with coat of arms above, wholesome bar food (not Sun) and all-day deli counter, friendly staff; live music Tues, open mike Thurs; children and dogs welcome, benches in small garden, quite handy for station, closed Mon evening, otherwise open all day.

Holy Inadequate, 67 Etruria Old Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST1 5PE, 07771 358238. Drinkers' pub with five well kept ales including Joules Pale and maybe one from on-site microbrewery, good range of British craft kegs, German lagers and lots of bottled beers, snacky food such as pies and scotch eggs, friendly staff; dogs welcome, outdoor covered terrace, open all day Fri-Sun, from 4pm other days.

Further from the ground….

Orange Tree bar and grill, https://theorangetreebarandgrill.co.uk/menu/, Newcastle Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6PG

The Saracens Head, 235 Sandon Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 7BL

The Masons Arms, Far Green, Dilke Street, Northwood, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 2LJ

The Royal Oak at Dilhorne, https://www.royaloakdilhorne.co.uk/

New Florence, https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/staffordshire/new-florence?utm_source=exnet&utm_medium=locations&utm_campaign=PC_pubpage

Sussex Place, Lightwood Road, Longton, Stoke-On-Trent, ST3 4TP

The Plume of Feathers, https://plumeoffeathersbarlaston.co.uk/, Station Road, Barlaston, Staffordshire, ST12 9DH

Food

Decent Indian’s aplenty….

Namaste Dine, http://namastedine.com/ 61-63 Market Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 1BW

The New Royal Balti, 35 Church Street, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

Golden Keg, https://www.goldenkeg.co.uk/( possibly doing two curry’s for the price of one on Tuesday, but please check) 56 Uttoxeter Road, Draycott in the Moors, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9NR

Gandhi Indian Restaurant, Saverley Green Road, Hunter Public House, Stoke-on-Trent, ST11 9QX

Tandoori Knights, 58 Church Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1BL

Kismet https://www.kismetstoke.com/welcome, 1a Queen Street, Burslem, Stoke-On-Trent, ST6 3EL

Roti Restaurant, 87-89 High Street, Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent ST8 6AB

Sangam,  30 Kingsway, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 1JH, https://www.sangam1.com/

Kashmir Garden, 257 High Street, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 5EG

Mirchi, http://www.mirchistoke.co.uk/

Alessi, https://www.alessidining.com/ 50 – 54 Church St, Audley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 8DA

 

 

 

For those of us old enough to remember.

We had some great matches against stoke when we were in the 1st division. I remember season 76/77 and our first home match was against stoke and it was 1-1. The biggest standout unfortunately was the devastating injury to the big cheese where he sustained a catastrophic knee injury when challenging the ball up against Shilton. The return leg against Stoke was also a draw 2-2.

From memory Stoke got relegated that season but remember seeing them again at Ashton Gate 79/80 in the 1st division era.

I have a good feeling tonight and it would not Suprise me if we sneak an away win by one goal.

[Leveller]

10 hours ago, 22A said:

Oh dear; City are going to get beat again. At least that the view of some Stoke fans. I don't call a 2-0 win a smash and grab.

Stoke City v Bristol City | Oatcake Fanzine "Need to and hopefully should win this. Bristol had a good win today but was a smash and grab and their players might be feeling it come Tuesday".

"Bristol City got a very good win today however Stoke should be reasonably confident after 3 good results and a strong second half v a decent Norwich side"

 

They have a prediction thread. When I looked (some time ago) 21 had gone for a home win, 2 for an away win and 1 for a draw!