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The Potters have been a fixture in the top half of the Premier League for much of the season, although they dropped to 11th after losing 2-0 at Liverpool.

Pulis told BBC Radio Stoke: "We could have the best season that this football club has had for a long, long time.

"We could finish in the top 10 in the Premier League and we could be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup."

He continued: "We've got a hell of a lot to play for and to be where we are in February is fantastic.

"The important thing is that people keep their feet on the ground and don't get too greedy.

"We've got to work hard and make sure we stay together to see the club through to what could be a very, very exciting last quarter of the season."

Stoke have finished 12th and 11th in the two seasons since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2008.

And a victory over League One leaders Brighton will see the Potters reach the last eight of the FA Cup for the second consecutive campaign, having failed to do so for the previous 38 years.

Goals from Raul Meireles and Luis Suarez condemned Stoke to defeat at Anfield and Pulis was unhappy with the timing of the first goal.

"I'm disappointed that we conceded the goal so early in the second half," added the Stoke boss.

"I thought in the first half, apart from the last 10 minutes, we contained them very well."

Labels: excited, manager, prospects, Pulis, Stoke

LONDON (SE) - Arsenal could move to within a point of the Premier League summit with a win over Stoke City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Just a week after beating Barcelona 2-1 in the Champions League, the Gunners play host to a club whose direct style is the antithesis of the Catalan giants’ passing game.

There is little love lost between Arsenal and Stoke, and an already strained relationship was further tested when Gunners manager Arsene Wenger compared the Potters’ tactics to that of a rugby game earlier this season.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has constantly defended his team’s approach to matches, and would be justified if he pointed to a disciplinary record that is significantly better than Arsenal’s so far this season.

However, it would be an injustice to talk about Stoke’s style as they continue to exceed expectations in their third season in the top flight. Currently tenth in the league, a weakened Potters line-up also reached their second FA Cup quarter-final in two years with a 3-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.

“We worked very hard all over the pitch,” Pulis said after the cup win. “Without the players’ commitment and attitude, irrespective of what the manager does, you’re not going to win.

“If you look at that (the Stoke team selection), I think it showed respect for the FA Cup and respect for Brighton.

“We were able to do it because we have got a good period where we play Arsenal on Wednesday and then West Brom on the following Monday - there is a good break between the games, and that is very important.”

In contrast, Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Leyton Orient on Sunday means that they can add an FA Cup replay to a hectic schedule of five games in 14 days, including the League Cup final against Birmingham and the return trip to Barcelona in the Champions League \2013 a fixture list which justifies Wenger’s decision to rest a number of key players for the weekend’s cup tie.

Despite the fixture pileup, Arsenal midfielder Alex Song is confident the Gunners can go on and win trophies this season, but has stressed how vital it is to pick up maximum points against Stoke.

“We have a very good team and always work very hard in training because this year is very important for us,” said the Cameroon international. “We want to do very well because everyone has been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“We are in a strong position because we are in four competitions and that is very good for us.

“We need just to take game by game. The next step is Wednesday against Stoke which is very important. It is important just to take the next step. If we win this game we are a point behind Manchester United.”

The likes of Cesc Fabregas, Jack Wilshere, Robin Van Persie, Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri all may return to the Arsenal starting line-up on Wednesday, although Johan Djourou is a doubt with a back injury and Abou Diaby remains unavailable through suspension.

Stoke are likely to start on-loan striker John Carew, but winger Matthew Etherington faces a late fitness test on a back problem and Mama Sidibe is unavailable due to recurrence of an Achilles injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Labels: CityArsenal, preview, SportsTicker, Stoke

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 0-0

SKY BET odds: Stoke 11/10 Draw 12/5 Sunderland 12/5

One to Watch: Matthew Etherington

Bet on Saturday's match

Both teams come into the match on the back of midweek defeats after Stoke lost 2-0 to Liverpool, while Chelsea claimed a 4-2 success at the Stadium of Light.

Stoke have an excellent home record against the Black Cats having won three on the trot by a one-goal margin, although Sunderland have been improved on the road of late.

Steve Bruce's side have won back-to-back Premier League outings away from home having got the better of Aston Villa and Blackpool in January.

Stoke's defence is bolstered by the return from suspension of Ryan Shawcross and his return is crucial with Abdoulaye Faye pulling a hamstring against the Reds.

Shawcross will partner Robert Huth at the heart of Tony Pulis' defence with Andy Wilkinson continuing at right-back with Danny Higginbotham on the left in front of Asmir Begovic.

Matthew Etherington should return on the left side of Pulis' midfield having been rested at Anfield while Kenwyne Jones and John Carew will provide a strong attack.

Jamaican hit-man Ricardo Fuller is away attending his uncle's funeral, so Jon Walters will provide cover on the bench.

Sunderland are set to play with a lone striker in the shape of Ghana international Asamoah Gyan because he is the only fit centre-forward on the club's books.

He will be supported by Kieran Richardson with Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Fraizer Campbell (knee) injured, while youngster Jordan Cook picked up a knock in the reserves on Wednesday.

Sunderland will give a debut to Sulley Muntari in midfield while the club's second new signing Stephane Sessegnon is likely to be utilised on the left.

Stoke are likely to face a fit again John Mensah, who is expected to return to the side in place of Anton Ferdinand and he should partner Titus Bramble at the heart of the visitors' defence.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham, Pennant, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Jones, Carew.

Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley, Cattermole, Elmohamady, Henderson, Richardson, Sessegnon, Gyan.

Labels: preview, SkySports, Stoke, Sunderland

The Guardian

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy rues 'needless' free-kick that led to Stoke ... Goal.com Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy believes that the free-kick that resulted in Stoke's goal in a 1-0 defeat was "needless'. McCarthy's men lost their FA Cup fourth round tie at Molineux after Robert Huth managed ... It`sa Knock-Out: Wolves Lose a One-Goal ChillerVitalfootball McCarthy - Wolves made to paySkySports McCarthy frustrated by cup exittalkSPORT.co.uk The Guardian -expressandstar.com -Yahoo! Eurosport UK all 180 news articles »

Labels: aposneedlessapos, freekick, Goalcom, manager, McCarthy, Stoke, Wolves