Stoking the flames of expectation

Stoke at the Lane today and, if I'm being frank, we should batter 'em. And that's with all due respect to Tony Pulis and his side of muscled brick houses. Anything less than three points is calamity.

Jonathan Woodgate could be in line for a first start of the season but one suspects Harry Redknapp may choose to blood him back into the side in the Carling Cup clash with Everton rather than today.