|
|
Post by oatcakemate on Feb 15, 2008 10:12:07 GMT
Stoke's promotion chasers won't wilt from the pressure of topping the Championship if they beat struggling Scunthorpe at the Britannia Stadium tonight (7.45pm kick-off).
That's the confident verdict of coach Mark O'Connor as Stoke stand on the brink of hitting top spot - at least for 20 hours - if they reel off a fourth straight win this evening to leapfrog Bristol City and leaders Watford.
"We are looking to win the league," he asserted. "That's not being cocky, you just have to aim for the top. There's 14 games to go and hopefully we will prove we are worthy of playing in the Premier League.
"People will talk about the pressure, but we have players who have already won promotion, players who have played in the Premier League and players who have played international football. It's a good dressing room and there should not be fear, there should be excitement.
"Everybody is thinking positively and we do have a great opportunity, but we mustn't forget we haven't won any of those 14 games left."
Richard Cresswell is available after a two-match ban to give manager Tony Pulis the option of re-jigging his midfield quartet for their third game in six days.
Stoke are anticipating a crowd of around 20,000 after pulling in a similar amount against Southampton on Tuesday following their "buy-one, get-one free" ticket offer for the two games.
They confront a Scunthorpe side sinking to the bottom of the table in midweek, but O'Connor warned: "They are a decent side and our 3-2 win at their place was the one game this season where I felt we had a bit of luck."
The match also sees 12-goal Martin Paterson return to the Britannia for the first time since leaving Stoke last summer to seek first-team football.
"Martin's goals speak volumes about the way he's playing. He was vindicated in his decision to leave and I hope he gets a good reception," said O'Connor.
Paterson added: "I am one of their own so hopefully I'll get a good reception
"Being a youth-team player I was always at the Britannia and I've been a ball-boy there too. I used to go and fetch the balls for Ade Akinbiyi.
"They're not just a good side, they're a terrific team. They've got everything to go up and if they keep people fit, I think they'll get automatic promotion.
"I think a few people who were saying 'Pulis out' a year ago will be singing his name now because he's done what he said he would, take them to the verge of the Premiership.
|
|
|
|
Post by miltonstokie on Feb 15, 2008 10:15:24 GMT
Goooooaaaaaarrrrrrnnnnn Stoke
|
|
Jimbo
Youth Player
Work 'aaard!
Posts: 338
|
Post by Jimbo on Feb 15, 2008 10:17:43 GMT
Not exactly a statement coming out of The Brit we're used to hearing is it!?  |
|
|
|
Post by Pedropotter on Feb 15, 2008 10:22:23 GMT
Heady heady days! dare we dream?  |
|
|
|
Post by stokecityscott on Feb 15, 2008 10:22:37 GMT
Use to be we will steer clear of a relagation dog fight, THANKS COATES FOR CHANGING US AROUND AND TP
|
|
|
|
Post by TheWiseMaster on Feb 15, 2008 11:12:18 GMT
Good to read If you want to win you need to be positive! Not like us at all?  |
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Feb 15, 2008 11:19:06 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by albanianstokie on Feb 15, 2008 12:10:39 GMT
Good to see Paterson doing well and still saying nice things about the club. I undestand he is a Stoke fn himself, so I hope everyone gives him a bit of a cheer tonight. We should keep an eye on him, twelve goals for a bottom of the table team is pretty good.
|
|
|
|
Post by ManderBeast on Feb 15, 2008 12:21:54 GMT
What better training does any player need that fetching Akinbiyi's ball's from behind the goal everytime he smacks a ball high, wide & not at all hansome during a training sesh. good luck to the fella i say... & dont worry lads if he gets one on one, he'll jus 'accidentally' miss kick it into the stand...
|
|
