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Ahh, so here we are again, it's like slipping back into your favourite armchair after being away.... familiar, comfortable (league position accepting) and something to look forward too despite the excitement of the few weeks on "holiday".
As we get ever closer to the half way point in the season, City come into this one in a rather perilous 19th position, so facing a Stoke City side that have also struggled all season may represent an opportunity to get back to it with a flourish.
Our hosts are a mere 1 point and 2 places above us and had an identical points record to us over the last 5 games played prior to the hiatus in league football at our level. Their last run out saw them suffer defeat away at West Brom, however, their last home game saw them pick up a much needed and very impressive 2-0 win against high flyers Luton Town.
The Potters' squad boasts some big name, well seasoned campaigners such as Phil Jagielka, ex-Bluebird Aden Flint, Nick Powell and Dwight Gayle, so it's a real surprise to once again see them struggling towards the wrong end of the table. Looking at that defensive line up City's forwards will have their work cut out in dealing with such a robust looking back line!
Of course, given the often warm welcome we receive up in the potteries, one wonders how well the traveling Bluebirds faithful will cope with other defensive lines too.
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Staffs Police were only too happy to direct
City fans to the exits in a safe, controlled manner
after their visit.
The corresponding fixture last season saw the Bluebirds play out an entertaining 3-3 draw, with the team coming back from 3-0 down to share the spoils in their first post Mick McCarthy game. Rather incredibly the Bluebirds almost snatched all 3 points but for an offside flag denying Mark Harris a late winner.
Overall our hosts have the edge in ties between us with 21 victories to our 18 and 12 drawn games.
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The jubilant Bluebirds celebrate an incredible come back. What we'd give for both Colwill and Harris to get on the scoresheet again this weekend!
Early Bluebirds Team News
Fortunately for the Bluebirds, no injuries were picked up with any of the players away on international duty, either at the World Cup or in friendlies elsewhere.
This means that apart from long terms absentees Ebou Adams and JC, the only other doubts/known injuries are Ollie Denham, Jaden Philogene (hernia op recovery) and Isaac Davies, the latter of which managed his first 45 minutes in a recent U21 game.
Prutton Predicts
Regardless of the break, the Sky man is predicting another defeat for the Bluebirds here, believing the boys in blue will suffer a third defeat on the bounce in a 1-0 reverse.
The bookies would appear to agree with the home team heavily tipped to pick up the win.
Home Win 11/10 Draw 23/10 Away Win 13/5
Managers Mutterings
Mark Hudson
"Everyone has come back fit, which is the best thing. Obviously, we've got a player in Rubin who has played in a World Cup, which is excellent for club and country. We told him how proud we were of him as an individual, and I'm sure his family felt the same.
"We've put in some good work in the time that we've had. We've had Whitts' Memorial Match, which was brilliant from the Club's point of view, for his Foundation and for everyone involved in the game.
"We've done a lot of training in-house, and we managed to bring the intensity with certain sessions that we've done. We've got everyone near-on fit, which is something we're proud of."
Sharing The Love
A few big name players for the Bluebirds and Potters on this list, including Captain Marvel Graham Kavanah and our one time record signing Peter Thorne.
Of course, one can't mention Stoke without thinking of the man who "drove where he wanted" who signed for the Bluebirds from West Brom not long after he'd been seen parked up outside Loftus Road following a failed move to QPR.
Sadly we were to only see a brief glimpse of the potential future Top Gear presenter as he departed for our hosts Stoke City in a swap move that saw big Kenwyn Jones join the Bluebirds instead (with a name like Jones it was inevitable, let's face it!).
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So, can the Bluebirds chip away at the Potters and get a cracking result? Will we see out boys wheel away in celebration once more?? Will a triumphant Bluebirds cause more riots in the Potteries???
All I know is that it's good to be back (at least until 3pm tomorrow when the nerves kick in again!!).
Bloooooooobirds!!!
No offence intended!