The last ditch escape from two seasons ago is but a distant memory in the annuals of football time, that day was all the sweeter because of our next opponents from just down the M6.
Stoke City, “The Potters” have a reputation under Sergeant Major Pullis of heaving the ball long & high while trying to imitate, neigh emulate the nasty Leeds United of the seventies.
The baseball cap wearing manager seemingly gets the best from what he has at his disposable with the odd bit of flair helping the club to some great results along the way.
This is their fifth consecutive season in the Premiership with more than respectable finishes of 12th, 11th, 13th & 14th mainly achieved with the help of a great home record in the passionate Britannia Stadium.
The style of play isn’t to everyone’s taste but it has proven to be effective in “the best league in the world” so who is to say it’s wrong?
We all know they bend the rules and have serious reputation issues but supporters demand 100% for all their players and Stoke City fans usually get that from their team.
However there is some discontent as “TP” has a nett spend of £60m recently and in the light of that his achievement’s become questionable to some of the supporters.
This season is the clubs 150th anniversary and to celebrate the second choice strip is from the origin of Stoke Ramblers. (Barcaesque ?)
The season started for them away at Championship Champions Reading with a 1-1 draw, this was followed by another draw, this time against Arsenal at home 0-0, so leaving them with P2 W0 D2 L F1 A 1 Pts2 so far.
While Wigan easily disposed of Forest on Tuesday a strong Stoke team lost at home to Swindon Town in The Capital One Cup, however before having a quiet smirk, remember back to earlier this year Paulo Di Canio’s team knocked us out of the FA Cup.
Latics have no injury worries but do have a player suspended for one match, tackle with your knee technique Alcaraz for Wigan while Stoke have a clean bill of health for the visit to The DW.
The match officials are Referee M Atkinson with his assistants S Burt, R West and the fourth official is I Williamson.
Match report from last seasons encounter
http://thisnorthernsoul.co.uk/2012/03/31/dominant-wigan-gain-deserved-win/
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