This week I spoke to Potters fan Martin Smith from the Oatcake message board
How do you rate your manager Mark Hughes?
We rate him very highly. Always extremely positive in his approach and led the team to its highest league position for almost four decades last season. Pulis was always going to be a hard act to follow but Hughes has managed it superbly.
Are you happy with your transfers this season?
We’re not unhappy with any of the players we’ve brought in, especially Phil Bardsley, Victor Moses and Mame Diouf but there’s a growing feeling that we should have spent a bit more actual cash in some positions.
What positions do you think Stoke City and West Ham will finish in the Premier League this season?
I think top ten is a very real possibility for both clubs. The Hammers look better placed at the moment but Mark Hughes teams tend to gather momentum as seasons progress.
Which three teams do you tip for relegation this season?
Burnley, QPR and Sunderland.
West Ham first played Stoke in December 1911, a match we lost 4-3, since then we have won 35 You have won 33 and 22 games have been drawn. You also did the double over us last season Can you overcome the new look West Ham who currently sit fourth in the Premier league?
We obviously can but whether we will is a different matter altogether. I think both games could go to the home sides but we’ll have to do well to beat you at the moment.
How are West Ham fans perceived by potters fans?
For the most part you’re seen as good fans of a proper club. There is some sniggering about this whole ‘Academy of Football’ thing which sees many Hammers fans decry the approach of Allardyce but warm to a failure like Gianfranco Zola. That maybe an unfair generalisation but it persists.
If you could have any current West Ham player in your team who would you choose?
Sakho – he seems to be a real find for you!
Favourite West Ham player of all time?
Geoff Hurst. Had a few great years at Stoke in the twilight of his career and an England legend also!
Where can away fans have something to eat or drink on Saturday?
Your best bet is The Harvester by the first roundabout.
How do you expect to setup Stoke against West Ham this Saturday?
Not sure after midweek performance, result and picking up two suspensions. Most probably 4-3-3 but possibly 4-2-3-1. Lots of possible selection permutations.
Score and prediction for Saturday?
2-1 to The Potters but a very tough game!
My Thanks to Martin Smith from the Oatcake message board, “home of the inspired, insane, realistic, delusional and obsessed Potters since 1996”. (Martin’s words not mine!)
COYI