http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2612164,00.html TONY PULIS believes that the Europa League will see Stoke City's passionate support at its very best on Thursday evening . . . as his side endeavours to cause an upset in their Round of 32 tie against Spanish giants Valencia. Pulis knows that City are the underdogs going into such a big European occasion at the Britannia Stadium, but he believes the supporters roaring them on will recognise that fact too and make even more noise as a consequence. The Potters will be hoping to achieve the kind of result against Valencia which will give them a fighting chance of going through to the next stage of the competition when they visit the Estadio Mestalla for the second leg. "I think our supporters will recognise and realise that the team needs help and that's when they're at their best," stated Pulis at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday as City prepared for the Europa League encounter. "This one could take the roof off the stadium. We need 90 minutes of mayhem in the stands to keep our players going. What we have to do is make sure we're up and running, so we give them plenty to cheer about.But we're at our best when we're the underdogs and we're certainly the underdogs on Thursday evening." Pulis is hoping that the game will be a sell-out for home supporters, even though there are plenty of tickets still remaining for the tie. "Everyone is excited about these two matches and I know a lot of supporters can't wait to out to Spain next week," he added. "But there is a massive job to be done here first and hopefully we'll be sold out come the kick-off. "It's a special night; one of the great games in the Club's history. We celebrate our 150th anniversary next year, but there can't have been many times where you can say that you are playing top, top European team here. "We have to make sure we are not overawed by the occasion; we need to go out there and play the way that we can play. If we can get our forwards into the game and playing well, then I'm sure we'll cause them problems." Pulis gave a clear hint that he is likely to go into the game with both Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant in his starting line-up as the Potters look to try gain something of an advantage from the home leg. "We need to play with width without a question of a doubt and we need to stretch them as quickly as we can," he said. "Therefore, the two wide players are going to be very important to us if we're going to do that." City boosted by the fact that Robert Huth comes back into contention despite his three match ban on the domestic front, and he may well replace Matthew Upson who is suspended after his sending off in Istanbul. "Huthy can come back to play this game and that will be a big bonus for us," said City's manager ahead of the tie.
I honestly think that if he doesn't put our best team and really go for it and we get turned over, alot (and I mean alot) of people will not let him live it down! This is (I Believe) is a once in a life opportunity for local fans to to see Stoke playing such quality opposition in a competition like this!
Smither's... I said BEFORE uncle Tone that we need to raise the roof on Thursday night.. YES Tony we KNOW how good Valencia are.. the ONLY thing I didn't like in that link Sgt was.. When T.P. say's IF we go that way?? If Delap is on EITHER wing I swear I will slit my wrists.. is T.P. bluffing or not? A hint where? we have to play both wingers Pennant and Etherington.. END OF.. Tony.
Unless we have a 2 goal lead after tomorrow night we will probably be out. Delap starting does not fill me with any confidence though and he will start cus TP says he rested him at the weekend so he will be fresh. Got my ticket but not actually looking forward to it after the last 4 home games have been so poor!
Shotton wide right, Delap wide left, long throws from both sides of the pitch.Whitehead and whelan in the Centre, as Palacios can't play two games in 5 days, Crouch up front with Walters again asked to run, run , run, run. Personally TP should turn out his strongest side tonight and Sunday (we should be capable of playing 2 games in 4 days), and if the result goes awry tonight, he can send the reserves to Valencia. Sorry for all of you who have invested in the trip to Spain, if tonight does not go our way, and he does follow a common sense approach. I'll be at Crawley, which I don't suppose is quite as appealing as the Mestalla - but I think we have a 50/50 chance at Crawley, perhaps not quite that in Spain?
Waddo?? Sorry matie but, I thought seen as we've really nothing to lose tonight. And everything to gain. IMO I'm going to ENJOY every minute myself. Chin up Waddo, remember the 70s cos you do.. and I KNOW the team isn't as good IMO as we had then but let's have a reet good go at em eh! OH and dozens of Dellilah's PLEASE! sing yer heads off one and all.
Got to be Pennant and Etherington out there tonight. I've said a couple of times, I think we've being trying to manage games with only one of them on at a time to make sure they're both fit and ready to play both when needed. I reckon Jerome will play too, not sure who with, Walters would normally be my best bet, but I think it's time he had a rest before he get completely run into the ground. I'm not going tonight, my mates band are playing at The Cavern in Liverpool, so being a Beatles fan (and the match being on TV) I couldn't turn it down. So I'm setting the match to record and will be in Liverpool with live updates coming though on the iPhone! Edit- This is my mates band, in case anyone is interested. . . . [video=youtube;Wn-WXMpKtoc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-WXMpKtoc[/video]
They both play so at least TP has got that right! I think he has pretty muched picked the best team, maybe Delap shouldnt be in at the loss of Whelan and I still think Walters needs resting!
