Stoke City - Opposition Views

[Steve 10,227]

WelshiesRevenge and Pottered from StokeCity-mad.co.uk have taken part in an interview discussing some key details for today’s Premier League encounter with Stoke City.

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions, we will start with a simple question. How long have you supported Stoke City for?

WelshiesRevenge: Since I was old enough to kick a ball (I’m 40 now).

Pottered: Since returning to England with my family (think it was now 20 seasons ago) and standing on the boothen end with my dad, brother and uncle for the very first time. We beat West Brom in a 4-3 thriller to go about 16th in the old third division. I think it was the start of a 26 game unbeaten run that helped us to be crowned Champions (well of the third tier anyway) at the end of the year.

Tell us a bit about your season so far, do you like what you have seen and where could you improve?

WelshiesRevenge: Four draws so far and to be honest made up with the way we've played. The Arsenal game was drab but both teams were poor. How could we improve? Well in all honesty, I would not change a thing, playing some good football. Adam and Nzoni are really helping us, as a forward-looking team. Who can now play through the midfield.

Pottered: Disappointed to have not come away with more from Reading. Missed the home opener against Arsenal as had a weekend in the big smoke. By all reports it was more of the same. Feel hopeful following the game against Wigan and more so after an enjoyable (which many games of late haven't been) game against the Champions of England.

What are your expectations for the remainder of the season and where do you think Stoke will finish?

WelshiesRevenge: A good season in prospect, a top ten finish and a sneaky feeling we'll do well in the FA Cup.

Pottered: Think top dozen, would love to break the top half but have a nagging feeling we'll just fall short again. Who knows less fixtures this season may see us scrape in.

Are there any players in your youth setup that you expect big things from in the future?

WelshiesRevenge: Florent Cuvelier a young Belgian midfielder who's on loan at Wallsall is pure class. We nabbed him off Pompey a couple of years ago, basically saved the Saddlers last season. Ben Glasgow is a right back we got from Arsenal in the summer. Also a young striker names Callum Pilkington looks set for a bright future too.

Pottered: Not on Tony's nelly.

There have been some promising signs from our new boys Oscar and Hazard. How do you think you will set up to stop out attacking players?

WelshiesRevenge: Hazard looks to be a good buy for you. Any special defensive ploys to cope with you, erm sorry you know us, we pride ourselves on our defence! Wilkinson’s moment of madness leaves us with a headache on the right, Shotton’s the obvious replacement but he seems out of favour. My guess is newbie Geoff Cameron will be forced to play there, an excellent buy at 1.7m from Huston Dynamos.

Pottered: Would you mess with Huth?

Stoke made a few new signings during the transfer period, which one of these players excites you the most and tell us a bit about how they have started the season for you thus far.

WelshiesRevenge: Jamie Ness (Rangers) not in our squad but young enough to come in through our U21's. He has not had a run out yet but looked good preseason.

Maurice Edu (Rangers) again has not featured, but I reckon we might see him tomorrow at some stage.

Geoff Cameron(Huston Dynamos) - CB and CM very impressed he's a class act ! enough said.

Charlie Adam (Liverpool) rubbish at Anfield but so far he's been impressive for us, and at 4m could end up being a bargain .

Michael Kightly (Wolves) displaced Matty Etherington on the left and has been very good, it's good to have some competition for places.

Steven Nzonzi (Blackburn) only played v City but heard good things about his performance.

Owen (The scum) hate him, but he's here now so I put my Stoke hat on and cheer him on. 3 mins v City isn't enough to draw any conclusions just yet.

Pottered: Early to say but very impressed with Nzonzi. His work rate and nous. I haven't seen a Stoke player make that much time on the ball for himself for a long time. Did he misplace just the one pass?

If you could sign one Chelsea player who would it be and why?

WelshiesRevenge: I know he's gone but Drogba would have been epic here, current crop not sure yet sorry.

Pottered: I can't see Torres tracking back. As much as I dislike the bloke can we have a full back, just tell him we don't want any pictures of him in his y-fronts (or out of them come to think of it).

If Chelsea were to sign one Stoke player, who do you think would suit us the most and why?

WelshiesRevenge: Your old boy Robert Huth. He's the one player who I would say is our lynch pin. Another more than capable of joining the glitterati at the Bridge would be Asmir Begovic the Bosnian is the best keeper I've seen at Stoke!

Pottered: If Chelsea would sign one Stoke player it should be Rory Delap. He's been a great servant but the last time I saw him on the pitch he was on for the last 16 minutes and made 2 tackles with his arms because he couldn't keep up with the opposition players who had played the other 74 minutes. At least signing him would piss the Arsenal off. In all seriousness Huth - very shocked nobody has been in for the man mountain.

Finally, what is your prediction for our upcoming Premier League encounter?

WelshiesRevenge: Toughie but I think it will end up 1-1.

Pottered: 1:1. Still smarting from the 2:1 defeat I witnessed in the first year at the bridge. Remember gesturing to a mate with fingers crossed with just minutes remaining, the rest like they say is history.

[Spike 12,049]

This game will bore me to tears.

[Madmax 9,219]

Stoke fan hating Ashley Cole for no apparent reason .. classic case of how the media can create a reputation/image.

Edu and N'zonzi are good signings for them.