Special guest column this morning. Shaz wrote this a while ago but I've been waiting for the right moment to post it. The aftermath of a busy encounter against Stoke City seems like that moment, particularly with Tony Pulis drawing attention to Pavel Pogrebnyak's enthusiastic tackle (*cough* glass houses *cough*).

These wins aren't to be underestimated. Stoke are a handful and we rarely thrive against them, but today, despite withstanding a lot of second half pressure, Fulham stood firm and deserved their points.

New players are traditionally given a time to adjust when signing for a new club, but today Pavel Pogrebnyak was thrown straight into the deep end.

Ep.24 Chelsea Choke by Off The Post on Mixcloud The transfer window may have slammed shut last week, but someone left the OTP cage door open and we're back to wreak more Premier League based audio havoc. So strap in as we ride the goals rollercoaster at Stamford Bridge whilst also taking in the delights [.

1. OTP proposes that to avoid the controversy and time delays of getting a couple of penalties every week, Manchester United should start all matches with a two-goal headstart. 2. Feed the Ox and he will score. 3. Aston Villa will be looking at the fixture list this morning and hoping that they having got [.

By Alan Duffy

Stoke City 0-1 Sunderland Premier League 4th February 2012

Martin O'Neill's Black Cats continued their ascent of the table on Saturday against Stoke, although the very harsh sending-off of Robert Huth on half-time was undeniably a game-changing moment.

Tony Pulis' Technical Area Tony Pulis was so unhappy with Robert Huth's red card against Sunderland that he emailed Match of the Day attaching a photo showing that the big defender's boots didn't make contact with David Meyler. Quite why the Potters boss thought MOTD would be lacking camera angles of the incident is unclear, [.

By Alan Duffy

Stoke City 1-2 West Bromwich Albion Premier League 21st January 2012

West Brom secured a vital three points away at a blustery Britannia against a Stoke side who never really got into their stride.

"I think I'm in danger of repeating myself here," said Kenny Dalglish when asked one question too many about his team's failure to break down a stubborn Stoke City side.
Over 44,000 Liverpudlians might have thought something similar after seeing their team's seventh draw in 11 league matches at Anfield this season.

"I think I'm in danger of repeating myself here," said Kenny Dalglish when asked one question too many about his team's failure to break down a stubborn Stoke City side.
Over 44,000 Liverpudlians might have thought something similar after seeing their team's seventh draw in 11 league matches at Anfield this season.

It's a fortress, but there's just too many draws...Liverpool were held to another draw at Anfield yesterday as they struggled to get anything past Tony Pulis's Stoke side. The Potters played in their stereotypical way and whilst they would have been extremely happy with the point Liverpool were left frustrated.

By Alan Duffy

Liverpool 0-0 Stoke City Premier League 14th January 2012

Another Anfield fixture, another draw. Liverpool made it seven draws out of 11 home league games this season after failing to penetrate a hard-working Stoke backline on Saturday.

Liverpool turn their attentions back to the Premier League this weekend when they welcome Stoke to Anfield after two games in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.
The Reds go into the clash boosted by the news that skipper Steven Gerrard has signed a new long-term deal which is likely to see him end his playing career at Anfield.

Jan Molby believes Liverpool will face a different type of challenge to the one they overcame midweek against Manchester City when they meet Stoke at Anfield on Saturday.
The Dane, who made 292 appearances for the club, also believes Andy Carroll has an important part to play, both in attack and defensively, if the Reds are to take all three points.

Having had a great win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, expect to see Kenny re-introduce the likes of Jose Enriqué, Maxi Rodriguez as well as the combination of returning Captain Steven Gerrard to play alongside Charlie Adam in midfield in the absence of young Jay Spearing who did his hamstring on Wednesday.

Having had a great win at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday night, expect to see Kenny re-introduce the likes of Jose Enriqué, Maxi Rodriguez as well as the combination of returning Captain Steven Gerrard to play alongside Charlie Adam in midfield in the absence of young Jay Spearing who did his hamstring on Wednesday.

Stoke City head to Anfield currently sitting alone in eighth and unbeaten in their last four. Tony Pulis' side has managed success both domestically and in Europe, as they'll accompany the two Manchester sides in the first knockout round of the Europa League early next month. Liverpool will hope to continue their relative hot streak at home, during which they've scored eight goals in their last two matches at Anfield and finally found a way to finish chances.

Gerrard signed a new deal this week...Liverpool face Stoke at Anfield on Saturday in the Premier League. After a winning performance at the Etihad in the League Cup, the Reds are brimming with confidence. Interestingly, the last time visitors Stoke lost in the league was at the Etihad, Pulis's boys are on a bit of a roll.

Click Here to get a free £50 Bet with Paddy Power Liverpool v Stoke According to reports, Liverpool are desperate to offload Andy Carroll this January. Unfortunately, there's no great demand for Noel Fielding look-a-likes so they may be stuck with the Geordie. Add into the mix the drawn out Luis Suarez racism row and [.

Liverpool vs Stoke City
14 January 2012
15.00 GMT
Anfield

History:
Total Appearances: 102
Liverpool Wins: 62
Stoke Wins: 27
Draws: 33

Last Premier League Meeting: 10 September 2011 Stoke 1-0 Liverpool

Form:
Liverpool: Liverpool, 20 games into a rollercoaster season, continue to dominate in their cup ties but struggle in the Premier League.

The new timebomb Stoke City are aiming to make amends for their 'turning down The Beatles' moment with their latest transfer target. Tony Pulis and co. infamously rejected the Premier League's current in-form striker, Demba Ba, this time last year. Ba failed a medical at the Britannia Stadium, with Pulis subsequently describing the Senegal international's [.

Boxing Day Preview: Manchester United, Chelsea And Winning Bets - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Premier League clubs are all set for Boxing Day showdown as 14 teams take to the field on Monday, with the remaining 6 playing on Tuesday. Here's a look at the choicest fixtures from the next two days and the best betting odds for them.

Robert Huth is aware that walking out of Eastlands with a result tomorrow night will be a massive challenge for Stoke City as they visit Premier League leaders Manchester City.

The Potters have won all of their last four league matches while also progressing to the next stage of the Europa League.

Difficult drawing for premiership teams didn't only happened in the Champions League but also in the second rate European competition, Europa League, where all three English representatives are being paired with tough sides.

Manchester United will be facing fellow Champions outcast, Ajax Amsterdam, while Manchester City are set to battle last season's champions Fc Porto and Stoke City got pretty much the toughest one with Valencia at sight.

Stoke lost their unbeaten Europa League record last night in Turkey going down 3-1 to Besiktas, Ricardo Fuller and Jermaine Pennant got the Turkey treatment as they were showered with lighters and coins but Stoke manager Tony Pulis refused to report the incident to UEFA quoting: We are Stoke we don't complain.

By Chris Wright

Unbeaten going into the game, ten-man Stoke stumbled to defeat in Turkey in their final Group E game, though it mattered little with them having already booked their place in the knockout phase courtesy of a draw against Dinamo Kiev last time out.

Disappointing midweek arrived for English teams in their Europa League campaign, Fulham have to forget their European ambition as they're journey ended on Wednesday after only picking up a point against Odense BK.

Meanwhile, Stoke City suffered their first defeat in the competition but still secure their passage into the next round although that loss relegated the Potters into runners up position behind Besiktas.

After mix-up in the air Stoke City finally made to Istanbul late on Tuesday night!
They landed at the wrong airport .....
Stoke City's plane ended up on the Asian side of Istanbul Sabihan Gokcen airport rather than the European side,Ataturk International airport!

By Alan Duffy

The Daily Mail's photos of Ryan Shotton and his amazing hidden unicolor ball-dryer

According to the Daily Mail, the powers that be are investigating Stoke City after their rather clever/sneaky use of towelling vests worn by their players in the game against Tottenham.

What are the odds Tottenham finish in the top four? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Three successive Stoke victories have finally forced pundits to accept that Tony Pulis has a realistic chance of getting the England job. Surely he can't do any worse than predecessor Martin Johnson.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish was right to raise the Football Association's apparent double standards on disciplinary issues.
The Reds boss was unimpressed with the governing body yesterday successfully reducing Wayne Rooney's three-match ban - for a red card picked up in Euro 2012 qualifying - by one game.

THFC1882 welcomes another guest writer on board. This time it's Glen Bocking. Glen is an Essex boy but now lives in Stoke so is handily placed to attend this game. Glen's first Spurs memories are the '91 FA Cup semi and final! Great start to his Spurs watching!

Tony Pulis backs Kenny Dalglish in Wayne Rooney ban row

Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish was right to raise the Football Association's apparent double standards on disciplinary issues.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-09 11:07:29 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Pulis backs Dalglish's opinion

Tony Pulis believes Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was correct in questioning the FA's stance on disciplinary issues.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-09 11:05:05 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

By Alan Duffy

The whole set up of the situation is ably explained by the two hosts on this Norwegian TV show (click on the 'cc' button for subtitles), but basically a whole load of former Norwegian internationals are humiliated on national TV for the pleasure of the viewing public.

Fantastic result for Stoke City last night as a Kenwyne Jones' header ensured Stoke drew with Dynamo Kiev and progressed to the next stage of the Europa League for the first time in their history. If Stoke get a point at Besiktas in their last game they will finish atop their group.

"It's a great achievement to qualify from a group that I felt was the toughest of the 12 out there" said Tony Pulis.

December is always an important month in the Premier League, as the lead up to Christmas hands all teams a frantic and testing fixture build-up, and gives an inclination into how the season will shape up. Spurs have impressed so much that a top four finish is being overlooked in favour of the a potential title contenders tag; a number of difficult games will test Harry Redknapp's men over the next month.

What are the odds goal-line technology ISN'T in use in the Prem by 2014? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Alex Ferguson reckons goal-line technology is a good idea, presumably because anything on the goal-line for his Manchester United side is better than David De Gea.

I'm really looking forward to watching today's games. There's quite an assortment of intriguing fixtures kicking off with the early match between Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers. Tony Pulis's side is suffering. Looking at the form table for the last...
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Stoke City So when does a blip become a rut? And when does a slight worry become a deep-rooted concern? Stoke have now lost their last five domestic games, and these have included games that they would hope to have taken points from: QPR (h), Bolton (a), Newcastle (h, Liverpool (h) and Arsenal (a). They [.

Stoke City stats in Europe making direct football work - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

According to Castrol EDGE Performance analysis 34% of Stoke City's attempts on goal in the Europa League this season have been headers.

The English team have been put down for only posing a threat from set pieces and long balls, a view backed up by 14 of Stoke's 41 shots in this season's Europa League being headers.