Stoke City FC

Well folks, today's fixture is one every stokie wants to win. The visit to hull city sees us face the golden boys of the first half of the season. A cracking run by the tigers should have been the catalyst for a great season but the ego's took over and a mighty collapse ensued. If you could write a book of quotes from the hull camp over the season it would make hilarious reading. All the premmature talk of going for europe coupled with the arse licking off the press and other supporters alike has really put a spanner in the works for brown's men. Give me the down to earth and sensible approach of tony pulis anyday. Even this week george boateng has claimed that at least they won't have to face '650' long throws at the britannia. If his tongue was in his cheek then it would have been midly amusing. Get up for this today boys and ram the words of fools down their throats and edge these buffoons closer to the drop. GET IN 'EM STOKE

Four games left, we still need points to be sure of avoiding the dreaded drop and tomorrows home fixture with west ham united brings a chance to seal it. The hammers are having a decent season, when zola first arrived they seemed unsteady but they have picked it up and have sat comfortably in the top half for quite a while. Good side but one we can beat if everyone is firing on all cylinders. Hopefully pulis has reminded the boys that things aren't done and dusted yet and we still have plenty of 'aaard work to do. The fixture at upton park over the festive period will be remembered for the thing that i promised never to mention again on here and we lost the game 2-1 after being in a good position at 1-0 up. Personally this game lights a spark in my mind and the memories burn hard. 1982/83 season we beat west ham 5-2 at the victoria, i was there with my dad and saw a fantastic performance from mark chamberlain on the wing for the potters, it was also the first time i had ever seen football aggro live in the flesh. Stoke had a great side in the those days and were a pleasure to watch. Ooh georgie berry..... Take them on tomorrow stoke. Get in 'em.

Here we are down to the last five games of this first crack at the premiership, the lads have a tough encounter today down at craven cottage against a fulham side who have really 'pushed on' under roy hodgson, they had a thrilling end to the season last time around, looking dead and buried they won their last few games and stayed up. Hodgson has put together a decent side and they find themselves sitting in the top half. After viewing the game against them at the brit earlier in the season i couldn't help feeling that they were one of the more organised sides we had faced and a tough nut to crack. The potters have injury problems with beattie, higgy, wilko and a few others missing the trip so the fringe players will come in and give it a crack. Stoke long ago sold out the allocation of tickets and the 'neutral zone' at the ground should be full of potters fans as well. Very rare that i am pessimistic on this page but for some reason i can't see us getting much today but i would never back us to lose so.....

Northy's Prediction 0-0

Another huge game, forgive me if i repeat myself week after week but every game is massive, the enormity of these matches probably won't hit us as fans until fate has dealt it's hand and our destiny is decided. The exposure stoke city have received this season whether good, bad or downright ridiculous is repairing the image of a damaged club, it is giving us a new identity and the people who disrespect us, at least they are talking about stoke, we are back on the radar again and we can all be proud but the job ain't done yet, every team we play herein are fighting for something or other and blackburn rovers on a good day are certainly capable of standing up to the potters on various fronts. We owe them for making the defence look like mugs at ewood park, the day why our fans showed we are the greatest in the land, constantly outsinging the home support even when 3-0 down after half an hour. It's going to be a bruiser i reckon, stoke will enjoy that and we need to keep up the good work on and off the ball lately and get stuck in 'em. Still think a draw though.

Northy's Prediction 1-1

Another saturday another massive game for the potters, the circus that is the toon army rolls into town with all the hullabaloo that goes with it. During the build up to the match you would probably think there is only one team playing but that is always the way with the massively over-rated geordie club. Every man wearing a red and white shirt needs to do their jobs in the professional manner to which we are accustomed, add to this the extra dimensions which have come into our play lately, namely the two wingers and the forward looking midfield and we could be on to a winner. You must respect newcastle for the players they have but they aren't down there for no reason. Win and we get 9 points ahead of them which at this stage of the season is massive. The atmosphere will be red and white hot so let's get in them boys and get on with finishing the job which we all set out for. Survival.

Northy's Prediction 1-0 Stoke

Two hours to kick off in this enormous game for both sides, beauty versus the beast, the lords against the tatters, my god you would think it was stoke who were stranded at the bottom of the table. All i hear is west brom deserve this and that for their approach to the game, well hear this...BOLLOCKS TO YA. Get at 'em stoke, whichever way the goals come just go and bloody get them and bring the points back to the potteries. Please.

Northy's Prediction 2-1 Stoke

'Boro are a team that can pull off the occasional performance and have looked a decent side at times but they can also be very average which is why they find themselves below stoke in the table. It's up to the potters to put the application on the game and to blow them out of sight with our aggressive combination of power and passion. Get at them from the off and make the most of our possession and i think we can do this.

2-0 Stoke

The answer to the question above will be the key to the potters getting any kind of success at goodison park tomorrow. If the form continues from the past few games then we could grab something, the toffeemen are a bloody good side and full of industry and hard work, some skillful players to boot and you have a top six team. The game earlier in the season when they beat us 3-2 at home still sticks in the throat and we should have had at least a point that day. This is an away game , the kind we haven't won all season, i'd like to think it was nailed on that we get at least one victory on the road before the season ends, will it come against everton? The won't of the above headline is in regard to the other side of our game, the nervous angle which seems to shackle us deep inside our own half and invites pressure. Hopefully we have seen the back of that from now on, the second half show at villa needs to be produced over 90 minutes. A fully fit potters squad seem raring to go and well up for the challenge ahead. Etherington returns from his ban and will no doubt be looking to pay the fans back for his silliness at sunderland and subsequent red card. The potters faithful will ring out loud and very proud over goodison, the team needs them and vica versa. We are family and we are staying up. Its gonna be a reet old tough nut to crack but hopefully beattie can set us on our way. Goooaaaarn Stoke

Northy's Prediction 2-1 Stoke

A huge game at the britannia tomorrow night, the visit of bolton wanderers sees us needing points to get out of the dropzone. It's alright to label it must win because in a way it is. It's important that the boys keep going the momentum that carried the potters through to the draw at villa. Many teams underestimate bolton and at their peril. I remember seeing the fixtures for the new season and seeing we were at the reebok first up and thinking that was a pretty good game to start with in terms of getting something. How wrong i was as stoke were outmuscled by a far smarter side. Looking back over the last ten years or so their record is pretty action packed. Promotion's, relegation's, play-offs and a steady run as a premier league club, i'm wary of kissing their arse here but they are the blueprint for how a club of similar size like stoke can survive and prosper in the top division. Anyway the point was, this is no easy game and is sure to be a proper tight affair. Saying all this it is a home game and we can beat anybody when the rythym is flowing, the lads need to try and play at a high tempo and keep the good vibes burning after the draw at villa. A physical battle is a dead cert, should be a good game under the floodlights and probably pissing rain. I wish mr mick green (catflap's bolton editor) and his bolton boys all the luck in the world after this one. A proper club with local fans. Get at 'em stoke.

Northy's Prediction . Hmmm. Go on then..2-1 Stoke

With middlesborough pulling off a stunning 2-0 victory over liverpool today the potters are back in the drop zone for the moment, this comes as no surprise and we will be in and out of it a few times before the end of the season, it's where we stand after the final day that counts and any honest and level headed stokie would tell you that this was the way it was going to shape out this season. Dropping back in puts a bit more pressure on the fixture at villa park tomorrow, our away record as we all know is terrible and another backs to the wall performance is probably on the cards, villa are quick on the attack and have a kind of exuberance and swagger about them this season which is typical of a martin o'neill side. It only seems like five minutes ago since the electric atmosphere at the britannia in the first home game when we beat the villains 3-2, mama scoring that late late winner which sent the ground into delirium. Villa looked a decent side that day though and certain players like ashley young and agbonglahor are looking top drawer this term. What won't happen is a gung-ho stoke performance so a solid and disciplined display is a must. Repelling the attacks of the youthful villa side and using the ball wisely when we are in the mix, if the distribution is right then we can cause problems with our strength and ariel prowess. We should be scared of no team but should be scared of our own nervousness, the prize at stake is massive come the end of this epic journey so a bit of trepidation is expected but we should believe in our own abilities and carry on playing our way. Composure lads.  Got to say i'm not hopeful of a win tomorrow but a draw maybe so......

Northys Prediction 1-1

Massive game tomorrow, enormous, not trying to whack all the pressure on this one because there are still 36 points to play for afterwards. Portsmouth visit the brit and are sure to bring a noisy following with the pompey chimes ringing in the potteries air. They always sing when they come to stoke and i remember them bringing some good numbers to the victoria ground in bygone years. As a team pompey have some fine players in their armoury, crouch, distin and james to name but a few, even david nugent seems to be having a second wind at fratton park and fair dues to him really because he could have stepped down a level a few times but chose to stay and fight. Tony pulis had a spell as portsmouth manager and still has ties with the south coast area, he lives there in fact. Players are back to fitness, not least big mama sidibe who we have missed big time, beattie must be licking his lips at the thought of feeding off mama's balls, oooppps did i just say that!!! Liam lawrence will hopefully get a start, i think we all expect pulis to jig the team around a bit with etherington and delap suspended and fuller injured. This game we can win, application and desire on the pitch and from the stands are what's needed, pompey are a great side at times but we are decent at home and i'm pretty optimistic we can get the points.

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

There is no point in running over the same old tired ground in regards to the results we could achieve if we tried to be more positive away from home, it's frustrating to write and surely must be tiring for the reader. Sunderland are a good side and dangerous but so can we be. Let's get it right today stoke. Beattie and fuller to score.

Northys Prediction 1-2 Stoke

There will be no intensive match preview today folks, northy has been to the funeral of a very good friend, even though the fella was a wolves boy he came up stoke with me a few times and enjoyed the atmosphere of the boothen end. RIP Dominic Dawes. Must win for me today.

Northys Prediction 2-0 Stoke

After what seems like an age since the old gut wrencher at stamford bridge the potters travel to white hart lane in search of that elusive first away win. As the headline suggests we need to stand up and fight for our right to start next season as a premier league club. It's countdown time and each game that passes brings it's own conundrums. The visit to spurs is a proper mind boggler, the reason being that it is impossible to know which tottenham will turn up, the one that dosen't seem to care and is roughed up with ease or the on song spurs who are a match for anyone. Hopefully for stoke it is the former, it would be a lie if i said i was 100% confident over any stoke away game due to the defensive nature of our play but the signs at chelsea last week were that ethrington and beattie can beef us up and give more options so a more attack minded attitude is likely tomorrow. Its essential that the players get at them early doors and stop spurs getting into any sort of rythym, a lot of tottenham's deficencies lie in the confidence of the team when the shit hits the fan so an early goal for the potters is a must. Redknapp has a limited squad due to injuries but will still put out a side which will look very capable on paper and if playing as a unit with spirit a very good one on the pitch. We really need a win, it's been a long time, my trust and faith goes into the boys to get a result and bump us up the table.

Northys Prediction 1-2 Stoke

This is a short one folks. Scolari says 'stoke are the most dangerous team in the world'. Damn right mate, you better believe it. The sun is shining and optimism fills my heart. Beattie to score on his debut.

Northys Prediction 1-0 The Potters

Stoke City vs Liverpool

Yeah that's right WE ARE STOKE and we are proud, we will take the obligatory knocks that come with your first season in the premiership and we will get up fighting for the name of the club and for this top flight status we scrapped so hard to attain. Tomorrow at the britannia we entertain liverpool who sit proudly at the top of the table and could be on course for the title for the first time in years. Watching their performance at newcastle when they spanked the geordies backsides with a 5-1 tonking gave you the impression the scousers were a team on top of their game and only shay given saved the toon from an absolute howler of a scoreline. Ive just heard rafa benitez going off on one in reply to comments made by alex ferguson, what it was all about dosen't concern us because this is a stoke page but it would be safe to say they will be fired up for the game. The potters need to give us a display akin to how we played against man utd on boxing day with one added vital ingredient, goals. Slowly the injured players are coming back and dave kitson should be on from the off with liam lawrence probably coming off the bench to destroy the merseysiders in the latter stages of the match. New signing matty ethrington will start i reckon, get him in there, chuck him in at the deep end and let's see what the youth is made of. Stoke need to find the fluidity we have been missing over a series of bad performances, fuller will miss this one and the chelsea fixture serving out his suspension and stokies are praying he won't be missed, everyone wants kitson to get off the mark and a roar from the boothen end will be heard as his name is read out pre match, a battlecry to him and the whole team, don't let us down because we'll always be with you, every step along the way. Some potters fans inexcuseably put this down as a loss and are looking at games further afield. A crass notion to northy. We all know that when the boys are on their game, sharp and decisive going forward then we can beat anyone at the brit, man utd would have been licking their wounds had stoke put the chances away. Lets get out there and prove we belong here.

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

GOOOOOAAAARN YOU RIP ROARING POTTERS

Here we go, the second half of the season which is sure to be full of thrills and spills just like the first, the year finished on a sour note with the on pitch fracas which has grabbed the headlines ever since. Never again will that incident get mentioned on here because it was an embarrasment and needs forgetting. Kicking off 2009 we visit hartlepool in the fa cup 3rd round. Stoke have a host of injuries and suspensions including fuller, cresswell, mama and salif diao. The likes of tonge and soares who were cup tied in the carling cup will be desperate to show what they've got in the locker and should start. It seems like vincent pericard is our only available striker (jesus how did it come to this!!) and how pulis will play it, who knows? A massive bonus would be the inclusion of liam lawrence who has recovered from injury and as said before on here, when fit and on his game is the heartbeart for the potters. Hartlepool, fresh from sacking danny wilson have had a bad run but (as shown by their league tally) can score plenty of goals at home and will be well up for this and see stoke as beatable. It's up to the lads to apply themselves in the correct manner, show respect to the opposition and take the headlines for playing decent football and getting us into the fourth round. Premier league survival is task numero uno but this competition is important and we are due a run in it so get on it stoke....GOOOAAARN

Northy's Prediction 1-3 Stoke

West Ham United vs Stoke City

Here we go then, the last chance of 2008 to secure that elusive away win, one that could give the table a far better look going into the new year and fa cup break. Right now, we sit below the 'line of death' but so far have proved many doubters and idiots alike that we are here for the scrap and will never surrender and always fight for the name of the club. We gave everything against man utd on boxing day and now need to do the same again today against the hammers but with goals.  A team who perfect the art of being great one game and shocking the next, west ham have some bloody good players on their books although it must be said that a few are more familiar with the physio's room rather than the pitch. They will be buzzing after a demolition of fading portsmouth and will represent a tough test for the lads. If we can give our all for the shirt as well as finding that killer instinct that has been missing in front of goal then a draw or win is something we are capable of. There will be no wild change in gameplan, the players need to be more clinical implementing the away strategy. Get behind them all who are going and roar them to victory. Gooooaaarn Stoke

Northys Prediction 1-2 Stoke

Wishing a very merry christmas and a happy new year to all stokies and any of my readers who for some reason don't support the mighty potters. I hope you and your families have a yule to enjoy. We face manchester united on boxing day at the brit and the boys will have to giving everything and more to take anything from this one. Yes we have injuries but the XI pulis picks to do the job will hopefully step up to the plate and deliver. The atmosphere should be red hot when we take on the new club champions of the world and northy predicts a potters win....

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

Can't wait for this one folks, travelling up to ewood park from nottingham at ten tomorrow and am seriously looking forward to the away day buzz. You all know the news, big sam is going to turn rovers into brazil overnight and stoke will suffer the old chestnut that is ' new manager syndrome'. Even our own supporters are buying into this often proven theory and await the game with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. Well i'm kicking it's arse into touch, granted the performances have been poor of late and we have a few injuries but with a 4700 strong potters following behind the boys the marriage can get back on track. Blackburn have some decent players who more than likely didn't play to their potential under paul ince for whatever reason but they are still there for the taking if we step it up and put on a strong powerful performance. It's up to the players to show determination, passion and desire, whichever XI tony pulis puts out , and it is up to us stokies to get behind them and give a powerful delivery of our own.

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

Well your trusty editor is off up the game tomorrow so it's about time to dust off this previous post which describes the joy of going up stoke http://www.catflapfootball.com/Football-Blogs/Stoke-City/2008/08/20/GoingUpStoke.aspx. A game that stokies would have earmarked for a home win and three vital points when the fixture list was released but let's sort this right now, fulham are no mugs and have a fairly decent side man for man, an attack which boasts revitalised duo andy johnson and bobby zamora with the industry of bullard in the middle deserves respect and city players and fans alike shouldn't take this fixture for granted. The britannia needs to be buzzing to the max because the cottagers are likely to bring less than a thousand with them and aren't renowned for their vocal prowess. Hopefully the lads will continue the good work from the second half at the toon and really have a go attacking wise, once stoke get into a stride the unity between terrace and pitch is electric and can yield big rewards. If Fuller and sidibe get the service and are on song i reckon we could sneak this one.

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

The last time i felt compelled to write about the magpies on this site was after the keegan debacle earlier in the season http://www.catflapfootball.com/Football-Blogs/Stoke-City/2008/09/04/WalkingInAKeeganWonderland.aspx. Plenty of turmoil has followed with supporters looking to oust the 'cockney mafia' and showing mass displeasure over the current ownership situation. Joe kinnear entered the hotseat on a temporary basis but has managed to start turning things around and has been given the chance to show what he can do over the course of the season. Fair play to him really, he seems to have toughened up the backbone and the toon are slowly getting it together. Watching a recent match at chelsea, the defender collocini was massively impressive and was instrumental in an excellent performance. I admire newcastle as a club but get sick of hearing the old chestnut ' we deserve this and that because we turn up in numbers and are oh so long suffering'. Sorry i won't buy that, in football you get what your players and management deliver and if that leaves the trophy cabinet empty then so be it. You get what you get, you deserve nothing. Pulis knows this will be a tough game for us and will set out for the usual solid defensive display but will demand from the players that they use the ball better in possesion and use the counter to our advantage rather than whacking it about and giving the ball back to the opposition with alarming regularity. With players such as martins, owen and possibly viduka the potters will have be strong and sharp in mind and body. Duff is a tricky player to say the least on his day so there's plenty in the toon armoury. Ab Faye and andy griffin will look forward to visiting their old club while danny higginbotham and rory delap should get a fair chunk of abuse with their sunderland connections. Not sure about this one to be fair so.....

Northys Prediction 0-0

If this was some squalid rag i was writing for there would follow a load of borderline jokes about sheep, seeing as it's catflap i'll just say BAAAA. There got it over with. Ever had the feeling you've been mugged by a footie match, like it's jumped you down a dark alley and balled ya.  That was the roundabout feeling of today realising that tomorrow we play in the quarter finals of a major cup competition with a very realistic chance of getting to wembley and replicating the spirit of the 1972 heroes who returned victorious after defeating the cheeky cockney swagger of chelsea in the final in front of 100,000 at the famous old stadium. The imposing media analysis, the fervour and anxiety of the season make the premier league a permanent fixture in your brain so to escape with a bit of good old cup football allows us as fans to breathe easy and dream of silverware. Derby county have slowly started to emerge again from the wreckage of a poor season back in the top flight and are by no means consistent but have shown they are capable of getting wins and scoring goals. Potters fans will be well aware of one of the rams dangermen, kris commons infamously left stoke to join nottingham forest and farcically now plys his trade with derby. Went down well in nottingham that. He's a great player on his day though and can create attacks and also score from long rangers and free kicks. Pulis will choose a very strong first team backbone for this one, unlike other rounds but should go for an attacking line up and may find room for whelan and cresswell in there. A very tricky tie but if stoke are on it, especially if fuller plays then we can march on into the semis. Get into 'em lads. GOOOOAAARN

Northys Prediction 3-1 Stoke

After last weeks game against the baggies we now find ourselves facing another fellow promoted side in hull city.  Fair play to the tigers, in the 1998/99 season they avoided relegation to the conference by 5 points but in the 2003/04 season started a remarkable climb up through the leagues and now find themselves in the premiership, the rag tag old ground is gone and a new era is mesmerising the faithful.  Stoke on trent and hull often turn up in the 'ten worst places to live'  surveys and it would be fair to say both cities struggle in terms of regeneration and funding. I can only speak for stoke here but these polls are bollocks, it might not be the most modern but stoke is a city for real people, not fakers. Each area will certainly benefit from the exposure the premier league brings.  It would also be fair to say that hull city have had the media purring with their start to the campaign, some decent stuff from them has seen a residence in the top half of the table so far, the wheels seem to have slowed down a touch of late which could possibly have something to do with a few of the supporters and players getting a touch arrogant and forgetting where they have come from. Talk of europe and premature whispers of definite survival, a season which is long and hard can have many twists and turns with this campaign in particular looking very interesting in terms of points needed to stay up. All said and done, this editor has a lot of respect for the tigers and the achievements of the staff, players and board. The potters will be looking for another home victory, fortress britannia will be packed to the rafters and the lads will be looking to put on a solid disciplined performance with a high energy flow, hull have plenty of skill in the side, geovanni springs to mind and their midfield must be kept quiet. Ricardo fuller will return to the side whilst shawcross and kitson will probably miss out with knocks, cort will no doubt come in at the back, whether the midfield is going to be re-arranged in anybodies guess but a start for michael tonge would be of no surprise. A tough game for the potters but one in which the points can be taken if everyone sticks to their jobs and gives 110%. Goooaaarn.

Northys prediction 2-1 stoke

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion

Any supporter of these two clubs who dosen't have some form of story to tell about the fixture probably hasn't been following them long as it is a classic, old as the hills and still as passionate as ever. The win at the hawthorns in 93 which was celebrated by the massed ranks of stokies behind the goal in the smethwick end and the 4-3 at the vic the same season, both games evoke great memories of good times, celebration, humour and bad memories of west midlands police (who seemed to play their own game of lets see how many stokies we can kick out today). We all know about the record in recent years, two west brom wins in 25 meetings and i'm sure we all remember ricardo fuller's superb hat trick at the britannia last season. The relatively close proximity of the two grounds see it classed as a midlands derby even though stoke based potters fans would argue with that, a staffordshire derby is the way i see it. Baggies fans will travel to stoke full of hope and optimism that they can beat the bogeymen and hopefully, will, as usual go back to smethwick to cry into their banks's bitter.  Stoke cannot rely on history alone because albion play some decent stuff and occasionally this season have found the cutting edge to back up their dot to dot football, saying that the baggies have a soft underbelly and the reds will need to be at it from the start with the crowd sure to be playing their role in proceedings with a high energy performance from the stands. GOOOAAARN. The baggies will bring their own vocal offerings and will be boing boinging in the south stand and there no doubt will be some tasty chanting. Both teams are gonna be properly fired up for this and the points are massive to the victors. With fuller banned, kitson should get his chance to finally break his duck and potters fans will be hoping to see a bit more flair in the midfield with soares and whelan knocking on the door. COME ON YOU REDS

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke

Manchester United vs Stoke City

Yes that's right people, this is the one, well actually the home fixture on boxing day is THE ONE but this is the second one if you know what i mean. These home and away fixtures against the red devils would have been the first many stokies looked for when the list came out in june especially those who live in and around the potteries which is relatively close to manchester. There is a rivalry to be renewed, northy should imagine this rivalry is not felt by the younger generation of united fans and bandwagon jumpers but those over 30 will remember some great games between these two with a cracking atmosphere every time, plenty of players have traded places between clubs over the years with the departure from stoke of jimmy greenhoff back in the late 70's still sticking awkardly in the minds of older city fans. In fact, as an outsider if you were to listen in to a conversation in a boozer by stoke fans regarding man utd you would probably be surprised by the hatred, yes hatred that a lot of potters feel for the red half of manchester (and the blue half actually but thats another story!!). There are many reasons for this, some daft some not so daft but hatred is a strong word all the same.

The game, well no-one will give us a chance and we come up against a formidable and slick outfit who on their day will destroy any team in the world with the talent and skills at their disposal which comes as no surprise when you see a line up with the likes of berbatov, rooney, ronaldo, ferdinand, vidic and so forth but stoke are not just any team, we are special and every player must be busting a gut to get in that starting XI at old trafford. If we use our heads, keep our cool and show the determined battling qualities which are guiding us through this mighty tough season then we could come away with some form of positive result. Madness i hear you cry. No it's not. We are stoke. A below par performance will see us battered and put through the wringer but our players are becoming legends slowly but surely and northy is certain they won't let us down. Our time on the attack will be minimal so when we do it must be disciplined and precise, not aimless and sloppy. Whether or not kitson starts is a question but his duck is there to be broken. Go bost it dave.

Northys Prediction

80 odd minutes of backs to the wall, hero type stuff and a late kitson header from a higginbotham cross. 1-0 Stoke

Sorry folks, your editor has been so busy trying to perfect my new party piece, the long throw, that i forgot the match preview for tonight. A bloody tough game where stoke will need to show respect to our opponents and have the right attitude. The quarter finals are within our reach. Go for it you potters.

Northys Prediction 3-3 (Stoke win on pens)

The week has whirled by in a frenzy after the fine home win over arsenal and we now find ourselves heading up the motorway for the relatively short trip to the jjb stadium to face wigan. The latics only joined the football league in 1977 and to find themselves as a steady premiership club after 31 years is remarkable really considering the passion for rugby in the town was far greater during the formative years and maybe still is. Ive got a lot of respect for wigan, fair play to them, stoke have played them more than a few times over the last 20 years and there have been a couple of unsavoury encounters, the first being the violence that overshadowed a game at the jjb which was sparked when a minutes silence for sir stanley matthews was broken by noise from the home end. The second being stoke getting hit for 6 by wigan in a horrible game near the turn of the century. A tough game for the potters but one which could see us chalk up a point or three on the road, which is vital if we are to survive, our away form has been poor thus far and needs to improve, starting at 12.45 on saturday. For this to happen though we need another total performance from the lads because wigan are certainly no mugs, with good players and a taste for the physical side of the game the latics can do us over if we aren't on the button. Hopefully a massive following from the potteries can inspire the boys to a positive result.

Northys Prediction. 1-1

Stoke City vs Arsenal

Here we go again, with over a quarter of the season gone we find ourselves facing arsenal at the britannia stadium, the traditional kick off time being a rarity for stokies of late and the atmosphere should be running hot.  The game, its said is not sold out as of friday night but come 3pm saturday will surely be a full house. This fixture is part of the multi-ticketing system in which a ticket for the home game with hull must be bought also. The gunners come to town with plenty of top class artillery and when on song are a joy to behold with slick and incisive play all over the park. Sometimes watching them in full swing can be frightening and the potters will have to be 110% man for man. It has been said that they don't like it when you get in their faces and if that is the case then hopefully stoke will be powerful and aggressive, mixing this with the quick direct football and also the passing play we have slowly started showing, each member of the team seems to be finding their feet at this level, stoke were never going to come flying out of the traps like grease lightning ala hull, it's just not our style nowadays but gradually we are getting tighter as a unit and if this continues we can cause problems all over. Lets not sit back and let them come, thats where the problems start. Show them respect but always retain our unique mixture of passion and grit, crowd and players. This is what it's all about. GET IN 'EM LADS

Northys Prediction 2-2

Stoke City vs Sunderland

Well fellow potters, this evening we face sunderland at the britannia, midweek fixtures seem to be a rarity in the premier league so hopefully stoke can enjoy playing under the floodlights and put on a show for what should be a very healthy crowd. The wearsiders will be on a massive high after beating local rivals newcastle at the weekend but its up to us to get in 'em from the start with a display of power and pace and get the three points. Looking through the sunderland side they have plenty of players who can damage us, cisse seems to be getting back in the groove after his return to england and will need marshalling well by the potters defence, malbranque will bring plenty of trickery to proceedings but the lads can deal with it and bring our own style to the table. A late fitness test for sonko will determine whether ryan shawcross continues at the heart of defence whilst fuller and sidibe should again pair up in the attacking role. As said before in this column, northy expects stoke to win our home games, no matter who we play, we will always have respect for the opposition, sometimes a bit too much but if we can hit 'em with our strengths and play some good stuff the game can be ours. GOOOAAARRRN STOKE

Northys Prediction 2-1 Stoke  

Manchester City vs Stoke City

Well readers, this fixture was a third tier game 10 years ago, the blue half of manchester got back to the promised land well before the potters but now here we are, ready to renew our friendship. I wanted to start by spreading the positive vibes, pass round pipe of peace. An undercurrent of trouble surrounds this match, mainly because of the happenings at the britannia stadium that day when we both got relegated to the third division, man city won 5-2 and scenes outside and inside the ground were nasty to say the least. Forget all that shit lads, lets move on to a different level. Both clubs in my opinion are great in their own right and this fixture deserves a cracking atmosphere which i'm sure it will have. Northy will never forget a game at the victoria ground when stoke won 2-1 and alan ball was in charge of the mancs, the vic was electric that day, spine tingling stuff. On to tomorrows game, its a tough affair, lets face it. Man city fans must be feeling pretty good about it all at the moment with massive investment and superstar players joining, they are often referred to as 'long suffering', a statement that sits uncomfortably with me, what about the people who follow teams like grimsby town and notts county, they suffer. Anyway, who gives a flying fruitbowl about reputations and superstar players. Let's play our game stoke and get stuck in 'em.

Northys Prediction 1-1

Stoke City vs Tottenham Hotspur

Well, here we are 7 games in to the season and there is massive hype surrounding this game, the hype points to the fact that it is a relegation 6 pointer, already!  Only this morning when thumbing through the squalid tabloid rag that i read every day did the headline ' Relegation Showdown' jump out at me with a double page spread on the importance of this fixture. Let's face it, none of us expected to see tottenham bottom of the league, newcastle maybe but spurs no. A lot of money has been spent at white hart lane and players with big reputations have joined the fray. But, they are bottom of the pile and are there for stoke to beat, with an up and at 'em display using our strengths to push forward and unsettle them. The britannia will be packed again and a good atmosphere should help the lads on. Its time we broke the shackles and played further up the pitch, kitson is due a goal and with the right service has got to stretch the net tomorrow. If we let spurs come on to us then there will be only one result, a defeat for the potters. They will click very soon and hammer someone, lets make sure it's not us. I personally am convinced that if the reds can get 3 points on sunday then we can really push forward and get the points we need to stay in this league, but the longer a run goes on with no wins, it can sap the crowd and team of positive energy. Don't let it happen lads. Get In Em.

Northys prediction. 2-1 Stoke

Portsmouth v Stoke City

Here we go again folks, another weekend, another titanic battle on our hands, this time in the tight little fortress that is fratton park. Massive respect from this corner regarding the atmosphere pompey's supporters conjure up in their home ground, if only all premiership grounds were the same. Portsmouth fans don't expect, they create, they get behind their side and help them on. A lot has been said about the tiredness of the home side after their late night uefa cup exploits on thursday but professional footballers get paid a lot of money to keep fit and play, so we shouldn't read too much into that. What stoke must do is every man giving a 110% performance again and adding that bit of guile and craft when we attack. If we really get in their faces then we can win this game. They might have a cracking home record but it is starting to come together for stoke and northy hopes we can push it on to a new level tomorrow. Saying that pompey have an excellent array of talent who could destroy us if we are not on it, crouch and defoe will be a massive threat to our rearguard but the lads will hope to deal with it. Lawrence fell over his dog and will not play and question marks remain over delap so .... Northy reckons .

Sorensen, Griffin, Sonko, Faye, Higgy, Tonge, Oli, Diao/Whelan,Cresswell, Sidibe, Fuller

Northys prediction 2-1 Stoke

Stoke City vs Chelsea

Well here we go again, another massive fixture, this is why we're here folks, to get stuck into the rich and famous, to unsettle them and then strike a hammer blow. Chelsea are a  fantastic side, full of strong, skillful and quick thinking players who can turn a game in an instant with roy of the rovers style football. Scolari seems to have added another dimension to them, what a delight to see the artist at work deco, fortunately for us he is not playing on saturday but their team will be a very strong one with the likes of drogba, lampard, ballack, terry and boswinga sure to start. Nobody outside of the club gives us a chance here so its important to keep the ol' siege mentality going, from the terraces onto the pitch. A physical and bruising performance is required interlaced with some good quick forward passing and taking advantage of our strengths, the set pieces, the long throw. We need to give another 110% performance to get anything out of this game, otherwise we get battered. A fully fit squad is at pulis disposal so expect to see something like this. Sorensen,Griffin,Sonko/Cort,Faye,Higgy,Delap,Oli,Whelan/Diao,Lawrence/Tonge,Kitson,Fuller.

Northys prediction 2-2

Better late than never, sorry folks, if anyone actually ever reads these ramblings. Its cup time again and the potters will be hoping to make progress into the next round by taking care of reading tonight. As previously posted we have a dismal record in this competition in recent years but the feeling is we could step it up this term. Pulis has promised that stoke will ' go for the throat' so a promising game could be in store. Expect to see a second string of players eager to force their way into first team reckoning, the list will include shawcross, dickinson, wilkinson, pericard, buxton, whelan and simonsen. Haven't got a clue who will be in the reading side as coppell has a reputation for fielding a second string in this compo. Hopefully a half decent crowd will turn up to take advantage of the £10 ticket prices. Stoke have a great record at home to reading so.... Northys prediction. 2-1 Stoke. COME ON MEN

Whats the point of being scared, approaching a match with trepidation and anxiety, derby anyone? This match symbolises why we worked so hard to get where we are, a massive game, at one time this was a regular top flight fixture and one respected in the north west. Stoke supporters will give every ounce of energy tomorrow, delilah against you'll never walk alone, bring it on. When the fixtures were revealed in june the two that most potters fans would have looked for are liverpool and manchester united, not chelsea, not arsenal, these games are classics to us and this is why we are here, to compete against the best and compete northy expects us to do. If it all goes horribly wrong then we take a thrashing and the players will look poor and people will have a go, but very rarely under pulis will stoke not give it everything, so expect a backs to the wall solid display with the potters crashing forward when we can. If we defend like men we can take something from this game, there are many questions about who will play in the both starting XI's and how pulis in particular will play it. I have enormous respect for liverpool and all they have achieved over the years but also have a massive undying belief in my team to get things right on the big stage. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARN STOKE

Northys prediction

Liverpool 0-1 Stoke City (Higgingbotham)

Well after what seems like an eternity we have a premier league fixture again. Everton are the visitors to the brit and will bring a noisy passionate following as they usually do, the last time they came,  with 5000 supporters was in the fa cup and stoke lost to an alan stubbs free kick. Gazza was in the everton team that day and got a fair bit of friendly abuse from the boothen, he responded by making his way to the stoke end at the final whistle and heartily clapping the lads, fair play gazza, sort yourself out mate.  The toffeemen have a good squad and players such as arteta, felliani, osman, yakubu and cahill, a side to be respected but lets not hide behind the sofa lads, northy expects stoke to win the home games no matter who we play and this fixture is no different. Tonge should debut for stoke on the left and higginbotham, sonko and soares will be looking for starts. Doubts remain over sorensen so maybe simmo will face his old side. Make no mistake this is a tough game, when everton are on their strut they are a very good side but if stoke can get in 'em from the start, play our way and have a  loud and passionate atmosphere in the ground then we bring home the bacon. This editor respects every team we play and this weeks prediction is a 2-1 win for stoke. Kitson will be wanting a goal so first strike for him. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARN STOKE

Stoke travel to middlesborough's riverside stadium on saturday looking to upset the odds once again. 9/2 at one leading bookmakers, get on it northy says, its a bloody tough game but with players like fuller and lawrence anything is possible and for a stoke fan those odds are most tempting. One wonders what odds paddy power will give, 100/1 maybe, seeing as stoke are down already and an awful team according to those idiots who call themselves business men. Anyway back to the game itself, as said its a very tough encounter,  'boro are a club to be admired, now pretty much established in the top flight they are a club who under their current chairman are loyal and financially positive towards their manager.  Alves is a great player, strong with a bullet shot and proper eye for goal, when that fella gets going this season he will take some stopping.  Looking through the side you see good quality but nothing stoke should be scared of, lets stick to our formation, keep it tight and get a few chances ourselves, GET IN EM STOKE.  Expect to see virtually the same XI as last week, your editor is looking for a sterling performance from olofinjana in the middle. Northys prediction 'boro 1-2 stoke.

Carling cup 2nd round Cheltenham (A) Tuesday 7.45

Your editor is 35 today, celebrations are under way and the champers will flow.  Before the drunkeness comes a match preview, the good old carling cup, scene of many a first or second round exit in recent years but also, when called the league cup the scene of mass hysteria at wembley in 72 as stoke defeated chelsea 2-1 to record a  famous victory in front of 100,000.  Stoke travel to whaddon road to face a cheltenham side managed by ex potter keith downing who holds legendary status at wolves after a long service at the molineux.  Expect to see a mix of fringe players and the likes of amdy faye, glenn whelan and ryan shawcross, tony pulis will treat the match with respect but with one eye on the middlesborough game saturday. Oldham, rochdale, darlington and others have defeated stoke in the early stages before and the first competitive fixture against the robins will be a tough test.  They have had a mixed start with a couple of shocking away defeats thrown in.   Confidence never runs high when it comes to these games so. Northys prediction. 1-1 (stoke win on pens)

Your editor is getting drunk, listening to AC/DC, body gripped with the warped anticipation of the first stoke city home fixture in the top flight since 1985. Staring at the golden ticket, boothen end block22.  No bones about it, this is a tough game, villa have assembled a seriously useful looking side and a look through their squad reveals quality in depth.  The last time this scribe saw stoke play villa it was in the old second divsion at villa park, stoke won 1-0 and the disorder around the ground was incredible to a young boys eyes, surely that kind of stuff only happens on the news!  Villa have come a long way since those days and deserve respect. The britannia will be electric tomorrow, no other ground in england will come close, believe me. Expect home debuts from kitson, olofinjana, sorensen, faye and faye, yes that was faye and faye.  Northys prediction. 3-2 stoke.  

Formed 1863, founder members, went bust, re-emerged. Matthews, Steele, Franklin, Matthews again. Waddington era, promotion, League Cup winners '72. Viollett, Setters, Dobing, Hudson, Ritchie, Greenhoff, Conroy, cracking football, roof blows off stand, downhill slide, 17 points, bye bye top flight. Mills, Ball, the Macari years, Divison Two trophy. Autoglass, play-off despair, Parker, serious aggro, Icelandic years, away cards, Coates and Pulis back in. Investment, PROMOTION. THE FUTURE…