Stoke arrive in Swansea on Sunday in a dismal run of form after gaining only 2 points out of the last 15 in the Premiership. Do not be fooled by that however – they gave Man U the fright of their lives at Old Trafford before eventually going down 3-2 after a dramatic fightback from The Red Devils. The Potters were also in the headlines last weekend with Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic popping in a 90 yarder after only 13 seconds against an in form Southampton side – the fourth fastest goal in Premier League history. [video=youtube;aMyIEMY6lqo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMyIEMY6lqo[/video] Welsh Connection Stoke will have full knowledge of the Swans with Manager Mark Hughes, Assistant Manager Mark Bowen and First Team Coach Eddie Niedzwiecki all formerly part of the Wales set up. Bowen in particular is from Neath and will be fully aware of all things Swans. SQUAD Goalkeepers 1 Begovic 29 Sørensen Defenders 3 Pieters 4 Huth 5 Muniesa 12 Wilson 17 Shawcross 20 Cameron 28 Wilkinson 34 Keane Campbell Midfielders 6 Whelan 7 Pennant 8 Palacios 11 Shea 13 Edu 14 Ness 15 N'Zonzi 16 Adam 24 Assaidi 26 Etherington 32 Ireland Forwards 9 Jones 10 Arnautovic 19 Walters 25 Crouch Form (Last 5) Stoke 0 Norwich 1 Fulham 1 Stoke 0 Stoke 0 WBA 0 Man U 3 Stoke 2 Stoke 1 Saints 1 All Results - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/stoke-city/results Interesting Facts Stoke are the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts County, and are one of the founding members of the Football League whe it was introduced in 1888 Like the Swans, Stokes first, and to date only, major trophy was won in the 1972 Football League Cup Final, when the team beat Chelsea 2–1 in front of a crowd of 97,852 Stokes nickname is 'The Potters', named after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent and their traditional home kit is a red and white vertically striped shirt, white shorts and stockings. Stoke's traditional rivals are Midlands clubs West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers whilst their local rivals are Port Vale with whom they contest the Potteries derby. The 1930s saw the debut of club's most celebrated player, Sir Stanley Matthews. Stoke recorded its record league win, a 10–3 win over West Bromwich Albion in February 1937.Also in 1937 the club achieved its record league crowd – 51,373 against Arsenal. Stoke City also became the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Chelsea on 27 January 1974. Thanks to Pete from Crete who spotted this http://www.britishpathe.com/video/f-a-cup-fourth-round-swansea-v-stoke Swans v Stoke Head to Head - http://www.swanseacity-mad.co.uk/head_to_head/stoke_city/vs/swansea_city/index.shtml Live Results & League Table - http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/league-tables Big Match Weather - http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2636432
This has a draw written all over it, we have only had limited success ourselves especially at home so im going for a 1-1 and just hope we nick it...I bet crouch scores from a set piece..
You learn something new everyday, I never knew that Stoke wore stockings. Now are they fishnet or sheer? As I do like fishnet stockings with a suspender belt. Any way enough distraction, must win game??? to me vital not to lose. Confidence is low at present after Sunday, so the players will have to put a shift in against Stoke, we know the ariel thread of Crouch so it's imperative we defend as a team. To be honest this is a game where I feel we will be able to play our passing game. With Michu looking at being sidelined for a month, Bony will have to step up to the plate and start getting amongst the goals. Ben now looks to be over his injury and may well play in the Europa game, we've missed his attacking prowess these last couple of weeks, who would have thought that last season when Taylor was out injured. I fancy us to get the three points, so long as we keep it tight at the back etc. Onwards and Upwards.
we all want to get back to the passing game against all the clubs not just the stokes of this world. Remember fulham and how we were going to finish on a high,we were slaughtered...I hope we win but i'm not confident now we have lost michu so i agree that we need to get our passing boots on and hope bony can start to earn his wages....one high point i think young Ben is back...
No dout hughes will target us at set piece. Hope we can get a fluid passing game going and beat them. Early goal could be the key otherwise could be very long afternoon
our set piece has improved though in fairness . West Ham game mk 2 on the surface of things. I would take a sneaky 1-0 home win but the truth is with the Swans right now that any kind of prediction is a total lottery ! we are likely to win heavy,lose heavy,draw,sneak a win etc The players need to show action and not words though, ive been getting a bit fed up with them talking things up in the press and making themselves look foolish a few days later ! Hopefully the Swans can pull it out the bag
Laudrup has clearly had them working on defending and executing set pieces. Unfortunately Cardiff was the only blip - I believe the only time we've conceded from a set piece this season. Time to bounce back in the League. 2-0 to the Swans.
We need to be patient and creat opportunities. If we get one goal a few more could follow. Be happy to score in last 5 minuits and take it 1-0
I'm not that particularly bothered about the result of the Russian game tomorrow, but I will be very disappointed if Laudrup fails to gather 3 points off this lot, regardless of their set piece strengths, no way do I want us to lose to the inept and well past his sell by date Hughes, never rated him, never will, and nothing short of three points will do, because if Laudrup fails against Stoke, then he will not only be in trouble from the fans, but Huw Jenkins and our board will be extremely unhappy too, so time for Laudrup to start playing positively, and start motivating the team, it would help if he got off his arse pitch side and did some shouting, even if it's something he doesn't do, these are the times that it is called for!...................... PS: I'm backing Laudrup for a 2-1 win!
......so its onwards to the Stoke match. A big game for the Swans. Hopefully we'll have a big performance
