Stoke City News 24/7Writer: Chris Baldwin 
Date:Friday March 14 2008
Time: 9:11PM
UK time is: 12:27:07
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Watford vs. Stoke City
Vicarage Road
15th March 2008
3pm
Watford vs Stoke preview
It's second versus third at Vicarage Road as the Potters continue a punishing week of travelling after coming away from Norwich with all three points. Saturday's match against the team just below us will be tough and the Potters' manager has been determined that the squad treat the game with the respect that it needs. so they travelled down to a Hertfordshire hotel a full 24 hours earlier than normal so that the preparations could be completed without any distractions.
Vital Quotes:
Tony Pulis reacted to criticism from the sides that lie below Stoke and Watford that they are both 'long ball' teams: 'It doesn't make any difference to me what others say.'
All I know is that we've scored more goals than anyone except West Brom, we have people like Ricardo Fuller who's a tremendous footballer, and also have players like Liam Lawrence and Andy Griffin, who are top, top players.'
Watford Team News:
Matt Sadler is likely to return after shrugging off a hamstring injury. Former Wigan midfielder Damien Francis is still out with a knee injury.
Player to watch: John Eustace
The former Potter has proved a big hit at Vicarage Road since his move south earlier this season and has been rewarded with being made the Hornets' captain.
Stoke City Team News:
Stoke may field new loan signing, Jay Bothroyd if Mamady Sidibe is still ruled out with a hamstring injury. Leon Cort is also a doubt after he limped off in the midweek victory at Norwich. Liam Lawrence misses the match as he serves the first of a two match ban, but Glenn Whelan is available again after his suspension.
Player to watch: Glenn Whelan
Whelan has already established himself in the heart of the Stoke midfield since his move from Sheffield Wednesday at the end of January and is proving another shrewd capture for TP.
Match Facts & Stats
The first leg of this tie back at the Brit in front of the TV cameras in December ended in a goalless draw.
Ref Watch:
With both teams battling it out for promotion to the Premier League, we've attracted yet another high profile referee, this time the high and mighty Rob Styles. Let's hope and pray that this 'top' referee doesn't also end up stealing the limelight like a certain Mr. D'Urso the other week.
Next Fixtures:
Sat 22nd March: Blackpool (home) kick-off: 3pm
Sat 29th March: Sheffield Wed (away) kick-off: 3pm
Mon 7th April: Crystal Palace (home) kick-off 8pm (Sky TV)
Your Comments
Come on fellas - You need to win this one and start asserting yourselves - Everybody is loooking for a team to pull away and you guys can be it ...
Chix
Not with Styles reffing we can't. The man's a pure idiot! He needs sacking from the game. He's the worst ref I've ever seen in my lifetime (36)
stokiesteve72
predict a loss to watford here meaning upset win for stoke
ozanne park rangers
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