No edge to Potters

Stoke City missed a golden opportunity to move well into the play-off zone in a distinctly tepid encounter that left both sets of fans feeling the freezing temperatures around the Britannia Stadium. Lee Hendrie's appearance on the pitch before the game to announce his new loan signing was warmly received, but after that there was little to cheer about.

The Potters never even managed a shot on goal the whole match, which has left fans wondering how they can keep up the momentum for the remainder of the season. Mamady Sidibe came closest after a perfect second half cross from new signing, Lee Martin left Sidibe with just having to bundle it in from four yards but he was caught off balance and the ball flew over the bar.

Neither side generating many chances but it was good to see Andy Griffin back in his left back slot and Salif Diao easily managing the midfield.

Tony Pulis brought on Adam Rooney with only five minutes to go in place of Martin on the wing, but it was a case of too little, too late and in the wrong position for the eager striker to make any difference.

Back to the drawing board then to plan for the visit of relegation threatened Southend, but they will be heartened by their 3-1 win at Birmingham tonight and therefore Stoke will need to be on their guard to avoid being on the wrong end of another upset. Let's hope the presence of Lee Hendrie in the starting eleven can conjure up some badly needed goals.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Hoefkens, Duberry, Higginbotham, Griffin, Lawrence, Diao, Russell, Martin (Rooney 85), Fuller, Sidibe.
Subs not used: Eustace, Pericard, Wilkinson, Hill.

Ipswich Town: Price, Sito, Wilnis, Wright, Harding, Williams (O'Callaghan 68), Peters (Haynes 90), Legwinski, Roberts, Garvan, Walters.
Subs not used: Supple, Casement, Clarke.

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