Collins eyes Potters response

Stoke City defender Danny Collins is hoping his team-mates can avenge their surprise defeat to Blackpool by upsetting Arsenal.
The Potters suffered a 1-0 defeat to Ian Holloway's promoted side on Saturday thanks to DJ Campbell's goal early in the second half.
Stoke can ill-afford to feel sorry for themselves as next up is a daunting trip to high-flying Arsenal, a ground where they have lost twice since returning to the top flight.
Collins is hoping Arsenal's open style of football could provide them with chances to score while he also believes Rory Delap's long throws could allow the visitors to test their hosts' physically.
"We have to pick ourselves up and get ready for the trip to Arsenal. They play open football, so hopefully, we will get one or two chances," said Collins.
"If we can shut up shop at the back and keep it tight you never know. At our place we seem to have something going over them, but at their place they are going to have 80 per cent of the possession.
"But maybe Rory Delap's throw-ins will give us a chance to test them physically.
"The Britannia Stadium is quite intimidating for the Arsenal and teams like that, but Blackpool brought a load of fans who were quite vocal behind the goal.
"They played some good football and I don't think they were intimidated at all."
Arsenal 2/7, Draw 9/2, Stoke 9/1
View the original article here

Etherington finds top gear

Matthew Etherington reckons a rigorous training regime has seen him find the form of his life.
The Stoke winger has been virtually unplayable at times over recent weeks, with a string of eye-catching displays firing him into England reckoning.
The 29-year-old admits that his confidence is soaring at the moment, with the off-field troubles of his past left behind.
He sees no reason why he cannot maintain those high standards and is determined to help the Potters end their December hoodoo - with Tony Pulis' men having failed to win a Premier League fixture in the final month of the year since returning to the top flight in 2008.
He said: "I think I'm up there with the best form of my career and that's to do with my fitness.
"I feel I can do 90 minutes now and I feel very fit. We work hard in training, the sessions are very intense and I'm benefiting from it.
"I'm going into games feeling great, confident and fit. It can only help you. You have to make the most of it when you are playing well.
"Our form lately has been good, we've won three and drawn twice in our last five games.
"Nothing changes for us in December and we don't even look at statistics like that."
Stoke v Blackpool. Click here to bet.
View the original article here

Danny hoping for chances

Stoke defender Danny Higginbotham insists he will keep taking his chances in the hope of winning back a regular spot in the side.
The 31-year-old was handed a rare start at Wigan on Saturday after Andy Wilkinson failed a fitness test and Robert Huth was shifted to right-back.
The encounter, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate, marked only Higginbotham's third Premier League start of the season, and the stopper knows there are no guarantees he will keep his spot at home to Blackpool on Saturday.
However, he hopes a run of five games in 14 days over the festive period will provide opportunities for more action.
"Hopefully I will get a game. It is our busiest time," Higginbotham told The Sentinel.
"I am a footballer and I want to be playing games. Working all week and then being on the bench is very disappointing.
"You can get a bit despondent at times, but you have to get on with it.
"There's only one way of getting match fitness and that is playing games, but I think I have been able to keep myself in decent nick.
"I had a situation last year when I wasn't playing for three or four months and then I got an opportunity near Christmas and stayed in the team for the rest of the season. That gives me hope. I just need to keep taking my chances when I get them."
Higginbotham was frustrated to see the Potters twice relinquish their advantage against the Latics at the weekend.
He added: "Every Premier League game is tough, so any point you pick up is a good one. This one was no exception.
"But we had the lead twice, so for them to come back and score with a couple of deflections was really disappointing for us."
Despite forfeiting two points at the DW Stadium, Higginbotham was delighted to see the travelling fans provide so much support.
"They were brilliant, it really did feel like a home game," he said. "They are great home and away and we appreciate them so much.
"It is really needed at times and this game was no different."
Stoke 4/6, Draw 11/4, Blackpool 4/1
View the original article here

Stoke snap up Suljevic

Swedish starlet Smajl Suljevic has revealed that he has agreed a two-year deal with Stoke City.
The teenage midfielder, who is currently on the books of Dalkurd, recently took a trial with the Potters and did enough during that time to convince the Premier League outfit that he is worthy of a contract.
He will be unable to link-up with his new employers until 1st January, but is excited by the challenge awaiting him in England.
"One month ago I went on trial at Stoke," Suljevic told Svenskafans.
"I stayed there for two weeks but then I had to return home.
"But we stayed in contact and Stoke asked me to come back. When I returned to England they offered me a two-year deal and of course I said yes.
"Next month I will become a Stoke City player and I'm over the moon."
Click Here for Your Free Bet
View the original article here

Pulis hails Walters impact

Stoke manager Tony Pulis has praised the impact of Jon Walters since his arrival at the club in the summer.
The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland international scored two goals in the Potters' 3-0 win against West Brom at the weekend, taking his tally to four for the Britannia Stadium outfit.
Walters previously plied his trade in the lower leagues before moving to Stoke from Ipswich Town, and Pulis is delighted with his attitude and commitment.
"Jon has not just been bought in respect of what he is going to do in the first team," he said.
"He has also been bought as a player who will mix in with the group and his attitude and commitment to everything he does, both on and off the pitch, is absolutely first-class.
"The players have really taken to him. We have a good spirit at the football club and the secret is to try and maintain that spirit and togetherness. Jon has moulded in so well.
"Obviously we are delighted he has got four goals already this season, but it's also his application and attitude around the place.
"As a lad, he has really mixed in and grown with the group."
Stoke's win against the Baggies was their third successive victory and it came after a run of four league defeats.
Boss Pulis is becoming more level-headed about his side's results, and says he has learned to take the rough with the smooth.
"I think you become more resilient and you understand," he added.
"For me coming into the Premier League, I was very new and I had never worked at this level before.
"But I think I'm quite a quick learner and I understand what goes on and what doesn't go on.
"I do take note of what people say and other experiences. We are on a good run at the moment, but that could spin around and we could lose the next three games.
"You have to be resilient at times, and you have to be very level-headed. It is a sound football club and there is a level base right from the top through to the young kids who play.
"We have a direction we want to go in and we know that we will stumble at times, but there is always someone there ready to pick you up and make sure you are on your way again."
View the original article here

Etherington questions Capello

Matthew Etherington has queried whether Ryan Shawcross was not included in England's latest squad because he plays for Stoke.
Fabio Capello decided to call up a number of new faces and fringe players for last week's friendly against France but there was no place in the squad for Shawcross.
The defender has been in fine form for the Potters in the Premier League this season and Etherington cannot understand Capello's selection policy.
He feels maybe it is because Stoke are an unfashionable club but has backed Shawcross to one day get the nod and enjoy a successful international career.
"You will have to ask Capello why Ryan wasn't called up. Maybe it's because he plays for Stoke," Etherington, himself left out of the squad, said in The Sun.
"It could be that reason as some players called up in his position raised a few eyebrows."
Shawcross has been linked with a move to a club higher up the Premier League than Stoke and Etherington is convinced the former Manchester United youngster has a bright future at the very top of the game.
But he does not want Shawcross to leave the Britannia Stadium anytime soon, saying: "Ryan's different class.
"He's quick, reads the game and has ability on the ball. He'll be at a top-four club again.
"He definitely deserves a chance for England and wouldn't let anyone down.
"The longer we keep him, the better for Stoke."
Shawcross, meanwhile, recognises that he must maintain his high standards if he is to earn a call-up for the Three Lions.
He said: "England is a tough squad to break into and you must perform week in, week out. I'll carry on what I'm doing."
Stoke v Man. City. Click here to bet.
View the original article here

Pulis proud of Potters

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was delighted with his side's comprehensive 3-0 Premier League victory against West Brom.
The Potters netted three times in the second half to extend their winning run to three games and move up to eighth position in the Premier League.
Matthew Etherington's penalty put the visitors 1-0 up in the just before the hour mark and then substitute Jon Walters came on as a late second-half substitute to bag a brace at The Hawthorns.
The 27-year-old, who signed for the Potters in the summer transfer window from Ipswich, has struggled to make an impression at the club but Pulis was delighted with his contribution as well as the team's fighting spirit.
Pulis told Sky Sports: "Sometimes we've played better away from home and not had the good fortune, so we're very pleased to pick all three points up.
"We showed good character. It's the first time we've won three games on the bounce in the Premier League so it's very good for us."
Although the game was tight for long periods before Stoke broke the deadlock, Pulis praised their opponents.
"West Brom are a good side and they passed the ball well but since the first goal went in we looked as though we would go on and win the game.
"We were in the bottom three just a couple of games ago, so the most important thing is to get the lads prepared for Manchester City next Saturday.
"The win is great and I'm sure they will enjoy themselves but we have to prepare for City starting on Monday morning."
Meanwhile, goalscorer Walters was pleased with the impact he made in last 10 minutes.
He said: "I'm happy to come on and do well. We're happy with the three points.
"Until the lads took the lead, it was a tight game but overall, it was a good away win for us.
"We had a good little run at the start of the season and it's good to have another good one, so we have to keep it going now and look ahead to the next game."
 Click Here for Your Free Bet
View the original article here

Walters brace buries Baggies

Man of the match: Jon Walters takes the honours for a match-winning performance, bagging a late brace.
Goal of the match: Stoke's third of the afternoon was created by Kenwyne Jones' sublime skills and buried at the second attempt by Walters.
Sub of the match: Walters replaced Matthew Etherington with 10 minutes remaining and what an impact the former Ipswich man made.
Gaffe of the match: Baggies keeper Scott Carson came charging out of his area to bring down Jones for a harsh spot-kick.
Talking point: Have Stoke turned a corner after recording their third win on the bounce? Two defeats in a row at The Hawthorns for the Baggies, what is going wrong?
Stoke made it three wins on the bounce in the Premier League with a comprehensive 3-0 victory against West Brom at The Hawthorns.
In a game which lacked continuity, the Baggies had the only worthy shot of note in a dismal first half when Youssouf Mulumbu struck his long-range effort over the crossbar.
Although the Baggies dominated much of the possession, the visitors broke the deadlock just before the hour mark when Kenwyne Jones went down under minimal contact from Scott Carson and birthday boy Chris Foy did not hesitate in pointing to the spot.
Matthew Etherington made no mistake from 12 yards and although the hosts threw men forward, the Potters hit Roberto Di Matteo's men on the counter attack and were rewarded with five minutes remaining.
Simon Cox's clumsy challenge on Dean Whitehead resulted in Stoke's second spot-kick of the afternoon and Etherington's replacement Jon Walters slotted home with consummate ease.
The substitute completed the rout deep into stoppage-time when Jones showed superb skills to pick him out and, although his initial effort was saved by Carson, he made no mistake from the rebound.
The victory takes Tony Pulis' side up to eighth in the table building on victories over Birmingham and Liverpool.
The hosts looked to make an early impression with Peter Odemwingie having a shot deflected wide in the first minute.
The Nigeria striker then whipped a free-kick straight into the arms of Asmir Begovic, but Stoke were soon launching an attack of their own, with Jermaine Pennant just unable to control his attempted cross having collected the ball in the box from Etherington.
It seemed Pennant had picked up an injury and within seconds he was withdrawn, Pulis throwing Tuncay Sanli into the fray.
Odemwingie almost found himself in the clear as he tried to bring down Carson's long kick but Foy halted the action to speak to Ricardo Fuller and Gabriel Tamas, who had been involved in a flare-up.
Odemwingie then drilled a low shot straight at Begovic before Youssouf Mulumbu rifled an effort from outside the area which rose too high too soon.
Albion upped the tempo slightly with Giles Barnes sending in a series of crosses from the right flank around the half-hour mark.
One fell to Jerome Thomas, who struck the ball against a Stoke shirt, while another was just inches away from being met by James Morrison's head.
Fuller was crowded out in the box at the other end before he could fashion a strike and Odemwingie blasted a free-kick over the bar after Tuncay had brought down Thomas.
Odemwingie then twisted and turned but could only hit a tame effort which Begovic gathered comfortably.
The Baggies began the second period brightly, with Thomas sending in a cross that bounced off Odemwingie's knees and Morrison just beaten to a delivery by Barnes.
But 10 minutes after the restart, it was the Potters who opened the scoring.
Fuller picked up the ball after Albion failed to clear a cross and laid it to Jones, who initially appeared to have let it slip past him but got a touch just as Carson was diving at his feet.
Although contact looked to be minimal, the Trinidad and Tobago frontman went down in the box and Foy awarded the penalty which Etherington then calmly dispatched into the bottom corner.
Baggies boss Di Matteo responded by introducing Cox for Morrison and after Whitehead sent an effort high over the bar, Somen Tchoyi was the next man to come off the home bench in place of Barnes.
Tchoyi was straight into the thick of things and angled a low delivery into the danger zone which Stoke managed to kick away.
The Cameroonian then saw his header from Thomas' cross tipped over by Begovic as the hosts piled on the pressure.
Marek Cech blazed over soon after and Cox's low shot from distance deflected wide before Di Matteo made his final substitution, with Graham Dorrans replacing Mulumbu.
Odemwingie thought he had been fouled having fallen in the box under the attentions of Robert Huth, but it was Stoke who won another penalty in the 85th minute.
Whitehead was clattered by Cox as he ran on to a Tuncay pass and Walters - on moments earlier for Etherington - converted the spot-kick.
Walters was not finished there either, receiving the ball from Jones' flick in stoppage-time and having one shot blocked before beating Carson to wrap up a comprehensive win.
View the original article here

Potters duo join Preston

Stoke duo Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge have joined Preston on one-month loan deals.
The pair have found first-team opportunities hard to come by with the Potters this term, making just seven appearances between them.
It has been decided that they would be better served taking in a spell elsewhere, giving them an opportunity to work on their match sharpness.
Winger Pugh has plenty of prior experience of life in the Football League, having taken in a spell at Leeds and a two-year stint with Preston earlier in his career.
Midfield ace Tonge is also no stranger to the Championship, as he made a name for himself during seven successful years at Sheffield United and has also spent a previous spell on loan with the Lilywhites.
Both men are expected to go straight into Preston's squad for their away date at high-flying Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
They will then remain at Deepdale until Darren Ferguson's side face Watford at Vicarage Road on 18th December.
View the original article here

Whelan biding his time

Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan knows he has a massive fight on his hands to regain his starting place in Tony Pulis' team.
The Republic of Ireland international has been restricted to just three Premier League starts this season, his last coming in Stoke's 2-1 win at Newcastle in September.
Whelan was disappointed he was not recalled when the team were going through their bad patch, a spell that ended emphatically last week with wins over Birmingham and Liverpool.
The 26-year-old knows it will be even harder to win his place back in Pulis' starting XI now that they have returned to winning ways, although he is happy playing the waiting game.
"The last week we've had two great results and I know it's going to be tough when I go back," he told Sky Sports News.
"I was hoping maybe because we went on a run of four or five without a result there could be changes, but the manager stuck with them.
"I know there's going to be suspensions and injuries coming around so when I get a chance I have to try and take it."
Whelan is currently away on international duty with Republic of Ireland and he is expected to start Wednesday's friendly with Norway.
The game will also see Jonathan Walters and Marc Wilson make their international debuts and Whelan believes the pair will impress.
"For Jonny being a centre-forward and an attacking player it's important for him to try and get a goal if he gets some minutes," he continued.
"I think people know what Marc is about. He's still only a young lad, but he's very good on the ball. He's very calm and collected as well and can pick out a pass. From what I've seen I know he'll be a top player."
Republic of Ireland 6/5, Norway 9/4, Draw 23/10
View the original article here

Roy refuses to be critical

Roy Hodgson dismissed suggestions that his players had lacked mental strength following Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Stoke.
The Reds went into the Britannia Stadium clash on a four-match unbeaten run but came unstuck as Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones scored second-half goals for Stoke.
Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the final whistle and Hodgson was disappointed with the result.
However, he refused to be too critical of his players, saying they coped with Stoke's physicality for the most part.
"I'm sad a good run has come to an end," said the Liverpool manager.
"It was always going to be a tough task and I knew we would be hard-pushed to win that battle but I thought we dealt with the pressure reasonably well.
"Once they scored it was going to be an even further uphill battle."
Fuller's goal came after Liverpool had failed to clear a Rory Delap throw-in, which is always a key weapon for Stoke.
"The first goal I am not disappointed in the manner of it because that is the manner of most goals here and that is what you have to defend against.
"For large periods of time I thought we defended it reasonably well but they got their reward from one of those.
"It would be a very unfair accusation that we lacked the mental strength or courage, as our defending from so many of the throws and set-plays proved.
"I thought today we stood up as well as we could be expected to considering the pressure we were under.
"I don't think the players threw the towel in and never looked like throwing the towel in."
Hodgson also expressed his disappointment that some fans chose to chant the name of former player-boss Kenny Dalglish towards the end.
"I suppose it does. That seems like it is going to be part of life at Liverpool," said Hodgson.
"I think we are trying to do the best job we can in the circumstances and I don't know that that type of singing helps anyone.
"But I didn't hear it and I am sure there are lots of fans who sympathise with us and what we are trying to do."
Hodgson felt the Reds suffered in the second half because striker Fernando Torres carried on playing despite injury, although he played down the seriousness of the problem.
"He didn't want to come off and I didn't want to take him off but he was not firing on all cylinders," said the manager.
"We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn't interested in that.
"I don't think it was too serious, if it had have been I don't think he would have carried on but it was a nasty knock which he took on his ankle."
View the original article here

Welcome relief for Whitehead

Dean Whitehead was delighted to help Stoke past Birmingham and end his personal goal drought.
A topsy-turvy encounter at the Britannia Stadium swung one way and then the next, with the Potters fearing they had let two points slip at one stage.
Tony Pulis' side edged into a two-goal lead courtesy of Robert Huth and Ricardo Fuller, but saw that lead disappear in the space of two second half minutes as Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome restored parity.
It was to be Stoke's day, though, and Whitehead pounced five minutes from time to wrap up the points and end a run of four straight defeats.
"Our main priority today was to get the three points and we got that in the end," Whitehead told Sky Sports.
"We made it hard for ourselves again but we got there in the end."
Whitehead admits Birmingham had Stoke on the ropes at 2-2, with self-preservation the order of the day at that point.
"I think at the time they put us under a lot of pressure, they pushed us back, and it was nice to get the winner in the end," he added.
The midfielder was at a loss to explain how the Potters threw away such a commanding advantage, but was relieved to get his side off the hook.
He said: "We have done that quite a few times this year but today but we got the result in the end, which is the main thing."
Whitehead was also delighted to have got his name on the scoresheet again, having gone 84 Premier League games without a goal.
Asked whether that was too long for a player of his talent, he said: "It is a bit, but I've got it today and the three points were the main thing."

View the original article here

Potters prevail over Blues

Man of the match: Dean Whitehead. The Stoke midfielder ran the show for the hosts and popped up with a rare goal to help the Potters to victory.
Goal of the match: Without a doubt Ricardo Fuller's individual strike. Anyone who had the privilege of seeing this goal will agree the striker's precise finish was a sight to behold.
Moment of the match: Whitehead's winner halted Birmingham's fightback and it proved the vital moment in which this topsy-turvy contest was decided.
Talking point: Can Stoke build from this dramatic win which saw them end a woeful run in the league? And will Birmingham, who are still without an away win in 2010, get a better opportunity than tonight?
Stoke City ended their run of poor form as they edged a five goal thriller against Birmingham City at the Britannia Stadium.
Tuesday night's televised Premier League encounter was a slow-burner until Robert Huth's opener on the brink of half-time paved the way for the game to catch light.
Ricardo Fuller looked to have put the Potters in the clear against the run of play with a wonderful solo goal on 71 minutes.
That was until Blues' fast-becoming trademark fightback ensued with Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome scoring to make it 2-2 five minutes later.
But Tony Pulis' side somehow managed to claw their way in front once again with Dean Whitehead's 85th minute winner ending a run of four defeats on the spin.
The much-needed victory lifted Stoke above Birmingham in the table to 15th, with the Blues sliding down to 17th.
It had appeared the three points would be secured in a comfortable manner by the mid-point of the match after an opening period the hosts had dominated.
Stoke were soon on the front foot as their wingers began to impose themselves, Matthew Etherington aiming a cross at Kenwyne Jones' head and the ball falling to Jermaine Pennant, who produced an even better delivery that the Trinidad and Tobago striker nodded wide.
Pennant then floated another delightful ball into the danger zone from the right but Ben Foster was able to claim it.
Potters fans protested for a penalty moments later when Foster collided with Danny Higginbotham as the goalkeeper rushed out to push the ball away, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on and Fuller saw his attempt deflect off target.
The home side continued to send crosses into the Birmingham box, with Jones heading wide again and Foster just managing to keep Huth at bay.
A defensive mix-up for the Blues saw Fuller slipped in, but Foster was alert once more and came out to take the ball off the Jamaican's toe.
The England stopper looked less assured soon after as he flapped near his goal-line at a Rory Delap long throw, although he did appear to have Huth leaning against him.
Whitehead collected a knock-down in the 37th minute and attempted to unleash a shot that hit a defender and went for a throw.
Delap hurled it into the box again but this time Foster confidently fisted it away.
Another Delap throw led to a corner three minutes before the break which Jones rose to meet powerfully, Foster tipping the header over the bar.
But two minutes later Stoke's pressure finally paid off as they took the lead through their skipper Huth.
Fuller's drilled shot from the edge of the box ricocheted off a couple of Birmingham players and Huth was there to lash the ball in off Foster.
It could have got worse for the Blues before the interval but Foster saved a shot from Delap and Fuller got in the way of a Huth header before Clattenburg blew for half-time.
The hosts maintained the tempo after the break as Etherington chipped the ball into the path of Fuller, whose touch let him down with Barry Ferguson looming, and Huth headed a corner wide.
Huth was on hand again to meet Pennant's free-kick but could not get the direction right and then Etherington swung in a dangerous ball which nobody could get on the end of.
Birmingham looked more potent moments later as Jerome cut into the box and hit a low shot which Begovic got down to save, and they went the closest to date when Roger Johnson saw the Bosnian keeper tip his bullet header over.
Suddenly Stoke's lead was looking vulnerable, with Craig Gardner firing a free-kick at Begovic.
Birmingham then almost equalised as a scramble saw Higginbotham hit his own post and Gardner's shot blocked on the line.
Within seconds, though, it was Stoke who had the ball in the net, Fuller twisting and turning before producing a sensational strike into the top corner.
The points looked safe for Stoke, but only three minutes later Blues substitute Fahey pulled one back after a mistake by Higginbotham.
Alex McLeish's side had come back from 2-0 down in their last game against West Ham United and before Stoke knew what had hit them, they had repeated the trick as Jerome glanced Sebastian Larsson's cross past Begovic.
It had taken the Potters only five minutes to throw away a two-goal lead and they looked shell-shocked.
Their opponents smelt blood and Gardner fired one in which Begovic dealt with.
But in the end, it was the hosts who emerged triumphant from the game's crazy climax as Etherington's cross slipped between the legs of Scott Dann and Whitehead pounced, prodding home to seal victory.
View the original article here

Pulis hails Whitehead winner

Stoke boss Tony Pulis hailed Dean Whitehead's winner after a five goal thriller at the Britannia Stadium.
Pulis' side looked to be coasting after Robert Huth scored the opener and Ricardo Fuller hit a wonderful strike to put them two up.
But Birmingham - who had come from two goals down against West Ham last time out - produced another fightback with efforts from Keith Fahey and Cameron Jerome to draw them level.
But the Potters were not to be denied and Whitehead struck with five minutes remaining to earn a vital three points and end a run of five losses in all competitions for Pulis' side.
The Stoke boss told Sky Sports News: "We were desperately disappointed to come in at half-time just 1-0 up.
"When you're on top of a game - and we were on top for a long time today - you've got to put chances away.
"And even in the second half we started really bright, had a couple of really, really good chances, then Ric scores a fantastic goal to make it 2-0 and you think 'well, it's over and done with.'
"But fair play to Birmingham, they did it Saturday (against West Ham) and they've not stopped again tonight.
"Its just lovely to see Deano score the winner."
Barclays Premier League. Click here to bet.
View the original article here

Hughes sympathises with Pulis

Fulham boss Mark Hughes has intimated that the so-called bigger sides tend to get the benefit of key decisions from referees.
The performances of officials have come under the spotlight of late following comments made by Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
After a string of controversial decisions seemingly going against the Potters, Pulis suggested the worst referees should be relegated from the Premier League.
And Hughes, who takes his side to Chelsea on Wednesday night, said: "Do big clubs get the benefit of decisions?
"As a player at Manchester United I would have said absolutely not. But as a manager going up against the so-called Big Four clubs, I have a different view, possibly.
"There's a natural tendency, it's human nature. Sometimes the consequences of giving a decision against a big side are too much for some referees to take. It's difficult for them.
"There's no way I'm questioning the integrity because it's split-second decisions and it's human nature sometimes that you take the easy option."
Hughes added: "You just want consistency in decisions and most of the season you will get that. But where a decision actually affects the outcome of the result, those are the ones you want the referees to get correct and of late it seems too many of them have been given incorrect.
"I'm not for one minute saying that we get badly treated in terms of refereeing decisions.
"We've had a number that have gone against us but there are a number of clubs aggrieved by decisions that are made against them."
Click Here for Your Free Bet
View the original article here

Pulis - Eidur weight goes on

Stoke City manager Tony Pulis expects Eidur Gudjohnsen to be fully fit in December.
The 32-year-old forward joined the Potters on a free transfer in the summer after leaving French club Monaco.
Gudjohnsen has made four Premier League appearances for the club, but has yet to make a start.
And Pulis feels it will be another month before the Iceland international is in contention for a starting berth.
Pulis said in The Sun: "His weight is still a bit up on what it needs to be.
"Hopefully sometime in December we should have him up and running.
"The pace of the Premier League now dictates you have to be 100 per cent.
"He's good to have around the place and shown glimpses of what a player he is. But he's not up to the level we want."
View the original article here

Etherington - No Stoke panic

Matthew Etherington insists Stoke are not going to panic as they seek to end a four-match losing run.
The Potters went down 1-0 to Everton on Saturday, their third straight Premier League defeat on the trot, with a reverse to West Ham in the Carling Cup also sandwiched in that run.
Stoke have now dropped to 15th in the table, just a point above the drop zone, but Etherington believes Tony Pulis' side can bounce back - just as they did after losing the opening three matches of the season.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Sunderland on Saturday, the winger told the club's official website: "We aren't going to panic, especially as the Premier League table is so tight at the moment.
"A couple of good results now and we would climb back into the top half again.
"You can maybe argue that we haven't had the rub of the green in certain games, but we're not looking for excuses.
"The lads all know that we need to raise our game and I am sure that the manager will have a few things to say to us as we start preparing for Sunderland.
"The frustrating thing about the Everton match was that they didn't create a lot of chances and we never felt as if we were holding on.
"Had we performed better on the day, then we could have got something out of the game and that will spur us on as we look towards Saturday's game."
Sunderland will also be looking to bounce back after suffering a 5-1 derby defeat to Newcastle, but Etherington is targeting a positive result at the Stadium of Light ahead of home games with Birmingham and Liverpool.
He said: "We need to get at least a point from that trip and then we have two home games in quick succession where a couple of good results would push us up the table."
Sunderland 10/11, Draw 12/5, Stoke 3/1
View the original article here

Pulis - Goal should have stood

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was disappointed his side were not awarded a goal in their 1-0 defeat to Everton.
The Potters were beaten at Goodison Park with Yakubu's strike midway through the second half enough to see off what had been stubborn resistance by the visitors.
It could have been very different however as Tuncay bundled the ball home from close range eight minutes earlier, only to see his effort disallowed by referee Lee Probert for a dubious-looking push on Leighton Baines.
Pulis was frustrated to see another decision go against him, having already spoken of his annoyance at some decisions given against his team this season.
"It's a good goal looking at it and it's just fell on the wrong side for us. If you have a look, Baines is already going down when Tunny puts the ball in the net or when there's contact he's already gone down," he said.
"You need decisions to go for you at both ends of the pitch, they took their opportunity and ended up winning the game 1-0.
"It's a very poor decision again, but we seem to be on the end of it at the moment, we just have to keep going.
"We can't keep bleating about it and you can't blame the referee for the goal they scored, we've got to get on with our jobs and do our jobs properly.
"But it doesn't help if you're not getting a proper decision go your way. If we'd have scored that goal I think we'd have gone on and won that game."
Pulis has faced a tough time of late, with four defeats in a row in all competitions, and a tricky trip to Sunderland in front of them next up.
However he had a degree of sympathy for his side, with the Potters having just completed three games in a week, with three of their last four games coming away from the Britannia Stadium and their only home fixture against Manchester United.
"We've come here with (Jon) Walters, Tuncay, Kenwyne Jones and (Matthew) Etherington, four forwards, and I think we've got a better squad and can compete," he added.
"But we need to keep clean sheets and that's a big thing.
"For me the team has worked really hard, we've had a three-game week. I'm just desperately disappointed that we haven't got the results.
"If you look at the five games with Sunderland coming up, four of them have been away from home, with the home one being against Manchester United, so we knew it was going to be very tough."
View the original article here

Pulis wants divers punished

Stoke City boss Tony Pulis wants three-match suspensions to be imposed on players who can be proved to have dived.
Pulis is unhappy at the number of footballers who use simulation to win free-kicks and penalties, and believes it is time the Football Association took action.
He feels there is too much pressure being placed on referees and feels video evidence can confirm the guilt of any player suspected of cheating.
"I see players simulating (to win) free-kicks and falling over and putting enormous pressure on referees," said Pulis. "That's an area we have to look at and an area we have to address.
"If you catch a player who has cheated I think you should be banned for three games.
"If you get someone who goes in the box and falls over and cheats, you've got enough video replays now to show the fella's cheated.
"If you've got a team and three or four of their players are falling over and staying down till the opposition player's booked and then jumping up, or he's trying to gain an unfair advantage, it's enormous pressure on referees."
The Potters chief also believes it is time to clear up the offside rule, with its two phases leading to several managers to voice concern.
He said: "I just think it should be cleared up. It's too open.
"The referees and the linesmen I think sometimes are making it up as they go along.
"I think they're always trying to favour the attacking team.
"That's fair in terms of entertainment, but when you're a professional football club and you work very, very hard on trying to organise teams and you put teams out to defend properly, it affects you, and I think it is an area which has to be cleared up once and for all.
"For me, if there's a player in the way of the goalkeeper and if he's not interfering with play he shouldn't be on the pitch. He's on the pitch, so he's interfering with play."
Everton v Stoke. Click here to bet.
View the original article here

Stoke sweat over key duo

Stoke are sweating on the fitness of Kenwyne Jones and Jermaine Pennant ahead of this weekend's trip to Everton.
Jones, who scored in Wednesday's Carling Cup defeat to West Ham, and winger Pennant are both struggling with a sickness bug that has swept through the Stoke camp.
Both players were forced off with the problem during the 3-1 extra-time loss to West Ham and Potters boss Tony Pulis is waiting to see if the duo will recover in time to take on Everton at Goodison Park.
"It's a case of dusting the players down and getting them ready for Everton after the disappointment of losing a long match like this," said Pulis.
"We're hoping Kenwyne and Jermaine Pennant will be all right because they were both feeling under the weather and had to come off.
"There has been something going around the camp.
"Kenwyne didn't really want to play, but I gave him a bit of a cuddle to get him out there.
"He felt very sweaty and cold. He said he'd had it over a week now, but he'd said nothing about it before."
Everton v Stoke. Click here to bet.
View the original article here