Tony Pulis is worried and he has every reason to be. Since he brought the Potters to the elite League, he has not been in this situation often. It is something they have to be fight to negotiate through. Relegation to the lower tier of English football is a big step backwards for the 2011 F.A Cup finalists. 15th position in the Premier League is not bad, but it is the points they have accumulated that matters. 34 from 32 games means they are just 3 points above the drop zone. A loss today coupled with a possible Sunderland win in the Tyne Wear derby at St James' Park will make things very dicey with just 5 games left to play. The unfortunate part of this afternoon's game is that they play not only the Champions-elect, but a wounded Manchester United that are looking to bounce back immediately from Monday's disappointing loss to neighbours, Manchester City on Monday.
Rumours coming out of Stoke say that this is a make or break match for the gaffer who may be relived of his duties if the potters lose to Manchester United later today. If that happens, it would mean the end of a 7-yr marriage. Stoke have little hope v Manchester United if you take into reckoning the past meetings between the pair. United won the reverse fixture at Old Trafford earlier in the season, 4-2 after an early scare which saw Stoke take the lead before a late Rooney show ensured that the red army took all three points. Sir Alex Ferguson knows his side cannot afford any more slip-ups after seeing their lead cut to twelve 6 days ago by nearest challengers, Man City. With 7 games to go, any more points dropped will bring about a tense finale. Something the fans cannot just fathom. It will be a murderous situation should the red army throw this one away again like last season when it seemed a foregone conclusion. In football, it is never over until it is certainly over. Roberto Mancini has been all over the place, saying it is finished..it is done..it is lost. Fergie will know more than to take the lead for granted.
The Britannia stadium, however intimidating it has been over the years, is a place that has never really been a source of concern for the league leaders. MUFC have won 3 and drawn one of the four League meetings there, scoring 6 goals and conceding just two. The only draw came last season when Peter Crouch earned a draw for his side after Nani's opener. It is a must win game for the red army. They know how important today's game is to their title ambitions.
Probable Lineups-
STOKE-
Begovic, Shotton, Huth, Shawcross, Wilikinson, N'Zonzi, Whitehead, Kightly, Shea, WALTERS, Jones
The Potters have retiring former Manchester United striker, Michael Owen in their ranks, although he isn't expected to start. Matt Etherington is injured.
MANCHESTER UNITED- DDG, Rafa, Rio, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Valencia, Wazza, RVP
The red devils must bounce back from the recent blip in their fantastic run to the EPL title. Stoke today will be very difficult to put away and Mr Reliable, Robin Van Persie has still not found the net since the Everton game in January. A 10-game barren spell is a confidence downer for any footballer. The Dutchman still remains United's top scorer this season with 23 goals...19 of them coming in the League. He has 7 games to topple Luis Suarez's 22 goals and a late surge will definitely help his cause. Ashley Young picked up yet another injury on Monday night and is therefore unavailable for this game. Luis Nani is in line for a starting berth. Nemanja Vidic resumed training only two days ago and is expected to miss out on this one. Evans should return to partner Rio Ferdinand. United need a very strong and balanced defensive set-up to withstand the Potters physicality. Evra was very poor by his standards on Monday. An improvement must come sooner rather than later.
Ohireime P Eboreime
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