Allen Hamilton
What: English Premier League
Who: Stoke City (9th; 46 points) vs Wigan (19th; 39 points)
When: Sunday 22nd May, 2011, at 16:00 UK Time
Where: Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, England
Top 10 Finish Enough Motivation?
Having lost in the FA Cup final to Manchester City, but qualified for the Europa League regardless, Stoke City could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas. Their Premier League status is assured and whether the Potters finish 8th, 9th, 10th or below, the season has been one of unbridled progress.
For manager Tony Pulis though, finishing in the top 10 has remained a target for months. The Stoke boss was desperate to win the FA Cup, however that disappointment could be glossed over in the Welshman’s eyes with a top 10 Premier League position. A 3-0 midweek defeat at Manchester City was a blow, though in many ways understandable coming so quickly after the Wembley final and the pain which must have ensued.
"We’ve had a fantastic season so it would be great to round it all off with a win that will keep us in the top half of the table and mean we improve again on the previous year", said Pulis, explaining that for Wigan the game may be higher stakes, but for Stoke pride is on the line.
"You can argue that Wigan have more at stake in the game, but we want to put in a performance for our supporters because they have been magnificent all season, and none more so than at Wembley last weekend when they were a credit to this football club."
One Last Push
With 45 minutes on the clock last weekend, Wigan fans gazed at the scoreboard as they sunk their teeth into their pies. But even the moist goodness of the town’s most famous creation would not have been enough to lift the air of despair that gripped every member of the Latics’ faithful. Wigan 0-2 West Ham pointed at one thing – a return to the second tier.
Yet, picking up a script long tossed aside as too implausible, Roberto Martinez’ side fought back, scoring through Charles N’Zogbia and Connor Sammon. 2-2 though was in itself still not realistically enough and fingernails continued to be bitten, eyes covered and seats squirmed in. Until that is, N’Zogbia, the man who has hit form at just the right time, popped up with a mere six seconds left on the clock to grab a sensational winner. It was deserved for the Latics, but means nerves will be tested once again at Stoke. But Wigan travel south with momentum.
"We need to learn from last Sunday", warns Martinez. "In certain aspects of the performance we were affected by the occasion and the importance of the game. We need to remember we are human beings and sometimes the significance of the three points can affect your performance. We need to be well aware of the threat of how good Stoke are at home."
Recent form
Stoke City:
Stoke City 3-1 Arsenal
(08/05; Premier League)
Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City
(14/05; FA Cup)
Manchester City 3-0 Stoke City
(17/05; Premier League)
Wigan:
Wigan 1-1 Everton
(30/04; Premier League)
Aston Villa 1-1 Wigan
(07/05; Premier League)
Wigan 3-2 West Ham (15/05; Premier League)
Key absences
Stoke City: Matthew Etherington (doubt); Robert Huth (doubt); Jermaine Pennant (doubt); Ricardo Fuller; Danny Higginbotham; Mamady Sidibe
Wigan: None
Players to watch
Stoke City – John Carew: The giant Norwegian has not perhaps had the desired impact at the Britannia Stadium since arriving from Aston Villa on loan, but Carew is capable of scoring goals and being a handful for the Wigan defence. Still keen to show what he can do, for the 31-year-old this is far from a "nothing game".
Wigan – Charles N’Zogbia: In sublime form, N’Zogbia could decide which division Wigan will play in next season all by himself. A snip at £6M from Newcastle United in 2009, the Frenchman looks set to be in demand this summer; before then though he has the small matter of helping Martinez’ side survive.
Match Prediction
Stoke are keen to finish as high as possible though it would be strange if the edge to their game was not somewhat lacking. Wigan have been playing good football for months and perhaps do not deserve to still be in the drop zone. A tight, nervy affair, expect Wigan to snatch it. Stoke City 0-1 Wigan.
