Delilahs

The young Potters crashed to a demoralising 7-1 defeat at home to Bristol City in their opening league game on Saturday.

The result wasn’t an entirely fair reflection on the game, as the visitors used their superior pace to counter attack with lethal results after soaking up Potters pressure.

The Potters did in fact have 12 corners to the visitors 3 but, without Salif Diao-Jiminez and Rodney McDonald in defence, the hosts were blown away by the visitors strikers who claimed six of the goals between them.

The Potters started brightly with Jack Harrison putting a couple of dangerous crosses to cause panic in the Bristol defence and with Nathaniel Wedderburn running the game from the middle of the pitch, all looked rosy for the Potters.

They were given a sign of things to come though on 11 minutes when a long ball from the visitors defence saw Mark Magee race away but his cross came close to nothing.

The Potters were punished on 13 minutes though as a break away from a Potters corner left four attackers on two defenders and Magee, who had carried the ball 50 yards, set up Robert Zambulziev who curled it home from 18 yards out.

Stoke continued to dominate possession and territory with Wedderburn pulling all the strings but continued to struggle against Magee who was denied twice in rapid succession by last ditch Matt Cohen tackles before the Potters had two golden opportunities themselves as Urwin and Alexander saw headers diverted for corners.

The visitors though settled the game just before half time as two in two minutes deflated the Potters.

Firstly the impressive Magee collected a ball over the top before laying it off to Marlon Jackson whose shot deflected off Cohen to wrong foot goalkeeper Harrison before Magee again raced onto a long ball, sprinted past Connor and slotted under Harrison.

Within the first 5 minutes of the 2^nd half Magee had been denied 3 times, twice by Harrison when one on one and once by the retreating Cohen who cleared a follow up shot off the line.

Stoke were still trying to pass there way to success though and Wedderburn burst forward before playing in Alexander who turned his marker before delivering a cross that was headed to Louis Moult, by Adam Vickers, allowing the striker to tap it into the stride of Nicholls who blazed over the bar.

Wedderburn again created an opportunity as he carried the ball forward before sliding a pass to Vickers who shot over from 18 yards.

Bristol then added to their advantage when a long, forceful run by the full back saw him dodge a couple of challenges before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net from 20 yards.

Wedderburn again split the defence to play in Vickers who crossed for Alexander, but the City striker could only place his header into the arms of the keeper.

Stoke were put out of their misery on 63 minutes when Bristol subbed off Zambulziev, but not before he had made it 5-0 when he, yet again, strode clear of the defence and sidefooted it past keeper Harrison.

Stoke were now resorting to long balls forward themselves and Moult flicked one of these 1^st time to Vickers who, with the keeper rushing out, tried to lob him but had to watch the ball bounce a yard wide of the post.

The Potters defensive demons returned on 77 as another long clearance was chased down by Watson who slotted it under Harrison from 15 yards.

The hosts did finally manage to ripple the net themselves when Moult floated in a free kick and Alexander powered a header into the top corner from 12 yards to grab a consolation.

Wedderburn nearly grabbed another on 87 minutes as he side stepped his marker before unleashing a powerful drive from 30 yards that was heading for the top corner before the keeper flung himself at it to make a fine save.

Bristol did complete the scoring in the 91^st minute when a low cross from the right was tapped in from 2 yards out by Ashley Kington.

CITY: T.Harrison, Unknown, Stockwell, Cohen, Connor, Urwin (Vickers 45), J.Harrison, Wedderburn, Nicholls (Yilmaz 6), Moult, Alexander.

By Dan Buxton

We travelled north along the Internet highway to Middlesborough to ask them the usual questions. Our thanks go to the Come on Boro forum for their replies and help in this and we wish them all the best after Saturday.

BrownSmog: 

How do you feel the season will go from your clubs perspective ? 

Slight optimism but all clubs around us have got seem to have got better as well - 13th

Any big news at the club at the moment? 
Downing to Liverpool is getting annoying; Mido to Wigan is irritating; Didier Digard’s facial hair

Who are your players to watch? 
Tuncay, Wheater, and supposedly Alves

Any injuries affecting your team selection for the game at this moment in time? 
Not really, although back four needs a look with Hoyte signing. Poga is our skipper but I’d prefer Taylor at left back

How do you feel Stoke City will do this season? 
With respect, it will be hard as I’m sure you know. Points at home will be big difference.

Where is the best place for away fans to drink, and what are the places to avoid? 
Couldnt tell you these days, dont flaunt colours is common sense (my mate is a stoke fan and got belted when you beat us 0-1 at La Riv

Your Prediction on the score? 
We look good against Spurs and L’Pool. Be good if all good work came off for a 3-0 but we are Boro so probaly 1-0

Monty:ow do you feel the season will go from your clubs perspective ?  Top half finish looks a realistic target.
Any big news at the club at the moment? Gareth has discarded his tank tops

Who are your players to watch?  Wheater, Downing and Tuncay. We would like to watch Digard at some point too.

Any injuries affecting your team selection for the game at this moment in time?No. The younger nature of our squad will hopefully lead to less injuries than in previous seasons.

How do you feel Stoke City will do this season? I think you will start off quite well as most teams tend to do when they come up but after that it will be a long old season for you and 17th will be a fantastic achievement.

Where is the best place for away fans to drink, and what are the places to avoid?Most town centre pubs are fine if you want them to be.

Your Prediction on the score? Boro to win 3-1

The Wizard Of Smog: How do you feel the season will go from your clubs perspective ? 

In the league I tipped us for 15th, but I’m a known pessimist. Apart from the top four I think it’s a very open league with just about everyone having a realistic chance of a UEFA place and an equally realistic chance of getting relegated.
Any big news at the club at the moment? 
Downing to Spurs or Liverpool is perennial, sick of hearing about it tbh; Mido, bizarrely seems to be tpping up himself for a move to…um…Wigan.
Who are your players to watch?
For sheer footballing pleasure, Tuncay. From an opposing player’s viewpoint, Alves, Downing, O’Neill, Wheater (and of course Tuncay) are a good test for any player. 
Any injuries affecting your team selection for the game at this moment in time? 
Just Arca I think?
How do you feel Stoke City will do this season? 
Based on nothing more than the recent history of newly promoted teams in the Prem, I make you one of the relegation favourites. Being right would give me no pleasure though.
Where is the best place for away fans to drink, and what are the places to avoid? 
I live in London so not an expert, but from talking to the lads I’d say as long as you’re respectful and keep away from The Navigation you’ll be made welcome.
Your Prediction on the score? 
2-1. Or 1-2

Kris G.Spot: How do you feel the season will go from your clubs perspective ? 
Im always Optimistic, but also Realistic. Top 10 is very possible. As already stated outside the top 4 its fairly open. I think we have to much class throughout to be nearing Relegation and expect us to be within 10th to 8th come May.

Any big news at the club at the moment? 

Downing to Liverpool, Blah blah. It wont happen, well not this year anyway. That oh and Mido to Wigan Bizzarly enough

Who are your players to watch? 

Downing, Tuncay, Wheater, Alves.

Any injuries affecting your team selection for the game at this moment in time? 

Arca 

How do you feel Stoke City will do this season? 

I had you to go down this year as im sure most did, The way it works really. Id like you to stay up though as i would Hull and West Brom. Make the Brittania a Fortress and you may well stop up, 17th will be a greta result!

Where is the best place for away fans to drink, and what are the places to avoid? 

Town centre is generally fine, Dr Browns which is the closest to the ground from the Town Centre is often were Away fans head. But most will be ok. Id avoid the Navigation and The Bridge. Also pubs near the Train station…..

Your Prediction on the score? 

Going to say 3-2 to us. 

James: How do you feel the season will go from your clubs perspective ?

We’ll look great in the games against good teams and diabolical in games against shit teams. Downing will be linked with a move away for the entire season. We’ll reach the quarter-finals of either the League or FA Cup. We’ll finish 13th.

Any big news at the club at the moment?
Why can’t Marvin Emnes get a game?

Who are your players to watch?
Tuncay. Tuncay. Tuncay.

Any injuries affecting your team selection for the game at this moment in time?
Julio Arca is on the sidelines as surgeons try to reattach his broken hairband.

How do you feel Stoke City will do this season?
You’ll go down

Where is the best place for away fans to drink, and what are the places to avoid?
Avoid anywhere this lot go.

Your Prediction on the score? 
2-1 Boro. Yours will be a 98th minute own goal from Andrew Taylor.

Below is a selection of photos taken during the course of tonights game between Cheltenham and Stoke City in the 2nd round of the Carling cup.

[Show as slideshow]

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Stoke travel down the M6 today to take on Cheltenham FC in the Carling cup round 2. With Stoke on a high having beaten Aston Villa in the League on Saturday this game is set up nicely for a bit of a shock. Stoke City just don’t do League Cup runs anymore going out last season to high flying Rochdale in the very first round.

Cheltenham are on a bit of a run themselves at the moment having so far Won two and Lost two games, one of their wins being the 1-0 win over Southend after extra time in this competition. Saturday saw them come back down to earth though with a 4-0 loss at a Lee Hughes inspired Oldham Athletic.

Delilahs will be in attendance and will be doing their best to publish a few photo’s of the game later this evening