By Nicholas Rigg
November 25 2005

Stoke City are the next side to travel up to Hillsborough with off the field managerial problems hindering their play-off chances. City lie just two points off the play-offs in 11th place in the Championship but off the field problems have been well publicised in the press.

Wednesday Vs Stoke

Date:  Saturday 26th November

Venue: Hillsborough, Sheffield

Stoke City are the next side to travel to Hillsborough but face a tough challenge in light of the managerial problems which have been hovering over the Brittania stadium in the past few weeks.

Despite those problems, halfway through the season Stoke are in a good position and before Tuesday nights defeat at home to Derby, they were on a decent run on three straight victories. They currently lie in 11th place in the league, just two points off the play-off positions.

City are probably the most inconsistant team in the division and are coming to Hillsborough on the back of probably their best run of form in the season. Saying that, the games weren't against the best sides in the division, and were games they probably should be looking to win.

Wednesday's first game of the season was of course at the Brittania stadium where 4500 Wednesday fans saw the Owls get an opening day point. Gerry Taggart was sent off in the game, and Leon Best made his debut.

The game is likely to be much different this time around, as both sides are desperate for the points for entirely different reasons. Wednesday of course need the points to climb clear of the relegation zone and build up some momentum for the busy christmas fixture period. Stoke on the other hand are fighting for a place in the play-offs.

The management problems at Stoke have been well publicised over the past few weeks. Manager Johan Boskamp had a public rift with assistant boss Jan de Koning and director of football John Rudge, but is said to have publically heald the rift.

Despite that, Boskamp has not been present at the last couple of City matches, with assistant Jan de Koning taking charge of team affiars, saying Boskamp is 'ill'. City chairman Gunar Gislasan said that all parties are working together for the good of the club, and that a meeting will shortly be held about Boskamps future with the club.

All this of course, will be music to the ear's of Paul Sturrock and Wednesday fans alike, as Wednesday to look to record a victory over City and earn three points.

Paul Sturrock will welcome loan signings Daryl Murphy and Peter Gilbert to the Wednesday squad. Murphy is likely to start, but his partner could be one of David Graham or Lee Peacock, with the latter the favourite to start should he pass a late fitness test. Peter Gilbert is also expected to start at left-back following his move from Leicester City. Lee Bullen will still sit out, as will Coughlan, McGovern, Talbot, Lucas, and Maclean.

Stoke are likely to keep the same squad that faced Derby for this weekends encounter. Captain Michael Duberry returned to action for the Derby game, as did Sambegou Bangoura and Carl Hoefkens.

 

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Previous Line-Ups:

Wednesday: Weaver, Heckingbottom, Wood, Diallo, Simek, Whelan, O'Brien, Brunt, Eagles (Partridge 75), Agbonlahor (Graham 60), Lee (Corr 60).
Subs Not Used: Adamson, Rocastle.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Halls, Duberry, Hoefkens, Buxton, Gallagher (Sigurdsson 76), Henry, Russell, Chadwick, Bangoura, Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: de Goey, Kolar, Sweeney, Mbuyi.

 

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Last Time Out:

15th October 2005

Stoke City 0-0 Wednesday

Stoke City: Simonsen, Halls, Taggart (Sent Off 13), Hoefkens, Broomes, Chadwick, Junior, Brammer, Kolar, Russell, Sidebe. Subs: Henry, Harper, Buxton, Dyer, De Goey

Wednesday: Lucas, Simek, Hills, Wood, Lee, Eagles, Whelen, Rocastle, Brunt, Peacock, Best. Subs: Adams, Heckingbottom, Proudlock, Partridge O'Brien.

 

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Head-To-Head:

Wednesday Wins: 35

Draws: 19

Stoke City Wins: 30

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Current Form (last 5):

Lost (Reading A 0-2), Won (Derby County H 2-1), Lost (Cardiff City H 1-3), Lost (Watford A 1-2) Draw (Plymouth H 0-0)

 Lost (Southampton A 0-2), Won (Coventry A 2-1), Won (Brighton H 3-1), Won (Crewe A 2-1), Lost (Derby H 1-2)

 

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