Defender itching to Potter down memory lane

[markscfc72]

IT will be an interesting trip down memory lane for me on Saturday.

I'll be heading back to my old stomping ground for the first time since I left the Britannia Stadium in the summer.

To be honest it will be quite a strange game going back to Stoke, where I spent two years.

But there in no question - I definitely want to play.

I am quite happy I am fit again after returning to training from my hamstring injury last Friday.

It is going to be a massive game with us top and them fourth, just four points behind.

You never know what reception you are going to get at an old club but I hope it will be a decent one at Stoke.

I would be surprised if it wasn't, but you never know, it can be strange because it will be a very emotional game as well.

They are flying at the moment and the fans will expect a good result as they have had some great results in the last few weeks.

It is going to be one of the hardest games in the season for us because of the way they play.

We play totally different types of football and it is just a question of how each side adapts to counter the other's strengths.

I think, even without considering the history of us not winning on Potters soil for more than 25 years, it will be a very hard game because of both the teams' form right now.

You can't think about what happened in the past though,

They'll be thinking they can beat everyone at the moment, and they are so physical and strong to play against.

We just have to focus on the game and try and win.

I was disappointed to miss the last two games and lose my ever-present league record this season.

But I watched the Charlton game from the stands on Saturday and the boys did really well again.

Everybody was wondering how good Charlton were going to be because they have had good results lately and were on a good run.

But we proved that we were the better side and The Hawthorns is a hard place to visit, which is one of our aims this season.

Only Stoke, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Wolves have taken points on our patch but in all those games we had plenty of chances.

Brunt and Zolly were in great form against the Addicks.

Brunt was born with a natural left-foot - I think he probably has the best left foot in this league.

If you see him in training crossing balls - its unbelievable - he can put it wherever he wants.

When Zolly goes up in the air, he is not that tall, but it's like he has got springs in his feet!

I like going forward, but it's a hell of a run to get on the end of Brunt's crosses and I think Zolly would push me out the way if I got there anyway!

Those two might have been hot on the pitch but after the game we went out to Birmingham with our wives and I saw some qualities I have never seen in players before.

Just dancing skills really!

They had to call the fire brigade because the dance floor was on fire!

Some people danced really hard, and it was fun, but I can't say names!

We've got a hectic Christmas schedule ahead of us now with four games in the space of ten days.

But I think we want to play every single day at the moment, which is one of those things when you are flying.

We have got a few tough games coming up.

Bristol City and Scunthopre won't come here and surrender themselves and we have to be at our best to get the points off them.

I think we are in a great position now.

But like the manager has said, league position is not important, we just have to keep putting points on the table and that is our job at the moment.

The bonus is we've got our 11-goal top scorer available for selection again.

It's no surprise Kevin scored when he came on as a sub on Saturday after six weeks out with a knee injury.

It was one of his typical goals as well and I think if you blind-folded him and crossed the ball into the box he would still be on the end of it!

He just senses things and that is a quality that is very rare in football.

In training as well, if you cross a ball Kevin is on the end of it and it is just amazing.

Every player that has been injured is coming back now, and we did really well when everybody was injured to pull together and still get results.

Now it is going to be even better.

I was delighted to see Martin Albrechtsen play 90 minutes and Clem get 45 minutes under his belt and score in the reserves' 6-3 win at Bradford yesterday.

Clem has been out for more than three months with a knee problem and it has been a hard time for him.

It is never easy to just sit on the sidelines and not even get involved in training with the first team, because you want to be a part of the squad.

I think Clem mentality is just fantastic, he has been very helpful for the younger players in the squad, and they can only learn from him.

The most important thing about Clem is that he is not only looking to himself, as many footballers might, but he is looking after other players as well and tries to make them better.

I have seen lots of things happen in football clubs and it helps to have someone like Clem around the young players as he is someone for them to look up to.

He has got loads of games in different divisions so he knows what it is all about, which is why it must be frustrating for him as well.

I just really hope he can play a big part in this team as well this season.

That's what I would wish for him this Christmas.

I'm looking forward to all the festivities, especially with my family.

Obviously I can't go over to Belgium, so my parents are coming over here to celebrate with us.

It's been a while since I have seen my parents now, so for them it is great as well because they get to see their grandchildren.

It will just be a very relaxing time and they will see some matches too.

My children are looking forward to it already.

Mentally I couldn't feel better at the moment, the team is doing well and it is going well with my family, everything is really good.

I will take us being in the top two above anything for a Christmas present, and that's the main thing, you can feel the joy in the dressing room because that is the only goal we have got this season.

So, Merry Christmas everyone and let's hope it's a 'Boing Boing' New Year!

[fuggers]

Fuck off Carl you money grabbing cuntrag!

[shiny nosehair]

Boing Off !

[bayernoatcake]

I think we need to kick Phillips in the knee early on as I can see him scoring a few.

[PONTAFCE]

boing boing phillips wont be a threat against our solid defense

[bayernoatcake]

I'm not too sure about that! If he had played against us in October he would have scored 3! The amount of crosses we let whizz across the 6 yard box wiothout clearing them was unbelieveable! Luckily they had no one there to tuck them away-Phillips would have been that man!

[boothenendboy]

if miller plays we need to shoot him or something.he is fast and strong.

[Pembo]

Im with you Fuggers ,Girlie haired cunter

[PONTAFCE]

Yeah there were a few dangerous balls put it but possitive mental attitude no worries for us i wreckon.