Match Preview – Stoke City v Brighton

Stoke City – the club
Stoke have been a Premier League team since finishing second in the Championship in 2008. This is the only season so far of their 10 campaigns in the top flight that they have been embroiled in a relegation battle and the first time since October 2002 that they have changed managers mid campaign, Mark Hughes being replaced by Paul Lambert. Lambert has enjoyed the traditional new manager bounce but really, a side containing the likes of Jack Butland, Ryan Shawcross, Xherdan Shaqiri and Jesé shouldn’t be battling at the bottom of the table anyway. The Bet365 Stadium is one of the most difficult to the country to go to although since filling in the corner between home and away stands, it will hopefully be less windy. That extended capacity means that this game with be the largest attendance for 30 years at the Potters home, since Voldermort tired to murder Harry, Lily and James.

Stoke City – the place
Trying to make Stoke sound anything other than horrible would be beyond even a wordsmith of Shakespeare’s talent. It gave the world a load of pottery and Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor but that is about it, to the point where our pre-match pub plan tomorrow is to go nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme and drink a few of their local Newcastle Brown Ales before getting to Stoke as late as possibly. Those of you braving the city itself will at least be cheered by the fact the average price of a pint is £2.50, the second cheapest place we visit this season after Burnley, providing a great opportunity to get legless in a slightly different manner that at nearby Alton Towers.

Stoke City – the people
Stoke’s most famous son Robbie Williams doesn’t even support Stoke but their city rivals, Port Vale. Dennis Quaid and Morgan Spurlock are listed as famous City fans while the Wedgwood Family of pottery fame hailed from the city.

A good WeAreBrighton.com memory of Stoke City away
Five visits to the Bet365 Stadium, five defeats. Can Brighton and Hove Albion do it on a cold February in Stoke? The answer is a resounding no.

A bad WeAreBrighton.com memory of Stoke City away
The last visit was a particularly bad one. Gus Poyet reckoned his League One leaders would to Stoke and show their Premier League hosts, known for their agricultural style of play under Tony Pulis, a better way to play the game. Needless to say we were absolutely outclassed, losing 3-0 as long throws from Rory Delap and set pieces from the Potters caused absolute chaos. Set pieces? Chaos? Oh shit…

Played for both
It’s not just a recent phenomenon for Albion fans to wet themselves at the prospect of any new signing before ever seeing him play. Perhaps the best example of this was when Diego Arismendi joined from Stoke towards the end of the 2009-10 season and North Stand Chat went into meltdown about this amazing new signing. Turned out he was complete gubbins, with his only contribution in a Brighton shirt being a red card for fighting in the most boring game imaginable, an end of season dead rubber away McDons.

Dangermen
Peter Crouch has been starting more games since Lambert took over a month ago. Just as well we’ve been really good over the fast few months at defending crosses into the box…

Betting
It’s an away game against a relegation rival which probably means that Chris Hughton will be reapplying the handbrake. The draw looks a good bet for that reason, as does under 2/5 goals given that only two of our away games all season have featured more than two.

Prediction
Standard Brighton and Hove Albion away performance and a 1-1 draw.