How can City smash the Potters?

Stoke Dangermen

Matthew Etherington - For the past season and a half, Stoke’s direct style of play has been epitomized by clever wing play and the former Spurs wide man Etherington is a marker of how successful it has been. Etherington’s marauding runs down the left could be a cause for concern for City and may lead to the curbing of Micah Richards attacking runs on the right flank.

Along with this threat, his crosses to target men Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones and Jonathon Walters could be a serious cause of worry for City, who while being defensively solid of late could struggle with an aerial bombardment.

Peter Crouch - His record against City is impressive and e always manages to make a nuisance of himself. What he may lack in technique he makes up in the fact that, well, he’s the biggest lad out there. So if you send a long ball his way, he’ll probably win it!

He has scored the most headers since the Premier League’s formation so while we may all laugh at his ridiculous dancing, his horsey face and general ridiculousness, he could be a danger for City to be wary of. With him 1 off 100 goals as well, don’t be surprised if he’s gunning for it this Wednesday.

Stoke Weaknesses

Shawcross out - The ex-scum youth product is Stoke’s captain and while he may be known for bsing a bit of a bruiser, he’s a decent centre back and could have caused problems form our wee wizards (Silva, Nasri & Aguero). Luckily though he is out suspended and with Jonathon Woodgate looking shaky against pacey opponents our nippy forwards could have a field day against the lumbering colossuses of Robert Huth and the Ex Galactico Woodgate.

FA Cup Heartbreak - Their demolition of Bolton, in last year’s FA Cup Semi-Final set up a mammoth final for the Potters, however some patience coupled with some Balotelli brilliance meant City grabbed the spoils. While it may be underestimated, the impact on Stoke’s morale should mean that City go into the game tails up and ready to increase the pain on Tony Pulis’s men.

Yaya Toure - 1-0. Need I say more.

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