After a disappointing defeat, it's always good for a side to get into the next game as soon as possible to put the frustration behind them. That will be the case for Tony Pulis and his Stoke players this evening, as the visit of League Two Shrewsbury in the second round of the League Cup provides the perfect chance to put the perceived injustices of Saturday's Premier League loss to Tottenham behind them and record a first competitive win of the campaign. The competition will always be held in special regard by Potters fans, it having provided the club's only major trophy in 1972, and with so many managers disregarding it these days, a solid win tonight could set hopes of a repeat performance 38 years on soaring amongst supporters.
TEAM NEWS
Pulis is one of many top flight managers who sees the early rounds of the League Cup as a chance to give younger or fringe players the chance to see some action, action that for many is much needed after Stoke decided to withdraw from the official reserves league. However, winning is a good habit to get into, so he will be eager to field a side that he believes to be strong enough to see off Shrewsbury, so expect a mixture of fringe players and more familiar starters, though it is likely he may save his star names for the bench to be used in the second half if necessary. All that is sure is record signing Kenwyne Jones will not be risked as he continues his recovery from his ankle injury ahead of Saturday's trip to rampant Chelsea, while his fellow striker Mamady Sidibe winger and Liam Lawrence are also ruled out injured.
Shrews boss Graham Turner will select as strong a side as possible in an attempt to gain a notable scalp in front of 2,000 travelling fans, but he will be without midfielder Lionel Ainsworth and defender Danny O'Donnell who are injured. Forward Matt Harold will also miss out on the short trip from Shropshire into Staffordshire as he is suspended after being sent off in just his second Shrewsbury appearance.
Possible Stoke Side:
Begović
Wilkinson Shotton Higginbotham Collins
Marshall Whelan Tonge Pugh
Walters Tuncay
Subs: Nash, Davies, Huth, Lund, Delap, Etherington, Fuller
Possible Shrewsbury Side:
C. Neal
Raven Sadler Sharps Cansdell-Sheriff
McAllister Wright Leslie Disley
Van der Broek Robinson
Subs: Duyan, Hooman, L. Neal, Bradshaw, McIntyre, Bright, Elder
FORM
While Stoke have had an unfortunate but still disappointing start to 2010/11, losing both Premier League games so far, Shrewsbury have begun their League Two campaign purposefully, winning two and drawing one of their matches to date. They're a club on the up following their move from football's most intimidating stadium, Gay Meadow, three years ago, but it remains to be seen whether this can transcend the 69 place gap on the footballing pyramid between the two sides' finishing positions last season. History is on Shrewsbury's side though; they've won six of their previous meetings with the Potters. Stoke have won just five, the same number that has been drawn. Shrewsbury also emerged victorious the last time the two met, winning 1-0 in an old third division encounter eighteen years ago. They will also have a good feeling about the League Cup, having come from three goals down to beat higher league opposition in Charlton in the first round.
PLAYER LINKS
No current Stoke player has ever played for the Shrews, but Shrewsbury winger Lewis Neal played 70 games for the Potters between 2000 and 2005 before joining Preston in a swap deal involving defender Marlon Broomes. He scored twice in a Stoke shirt, including a goal in a win over local rivals Crewe, and may be best remembered for providing the pinpoint cross for Ade Akinbiyi's winning goal against Reading on the final day of the 2002/03 season, a win that kept Stoke in what is now the Championship. Other players to have represented both clubs include goalkeeper Neville Southall (Stoke 1998, Shrewsbury 2001-02), winger Mickey Thomas (Stoke 1982-84 & 1990-91, Shrewsbury 1988-89) and forward Andy Cooke (Stoke 2000-03, Shrewsbury 2006-08).
THE REFEREE
Steve Tanner will referee the game. The 39 year-old from Somerset has flirted with being a Premier League official, but after losing his select group status last year he now operates primarily in League One. He last took charge of Stoke in October 2008 when a Robinho hat-trick earned Manchester City a 3-0 win at Eastlands. He also refereed the Potters three times during the promotion season of 2007/08, overseeing away successes at Cardiff and Sheffield United and the away draw at Plymouth, when he sent off Stoke goalkeeper Russel Hoult on his debut.
THE WEATHER
Tonight's fixture should be played in primarily dry conditions, with the occasional shower predicted, and the weather should only improve as the night goes on, with pressure rising rapidly. High winds could have an impact on the game at the very exposed Britannia Stadium though.
PREDICTION
Though Stoke have crashed out of the League Cup to lower league opposition in recent years, I foresee a fairly routine 2-0 victory tonight thanks to a first Stoke goal from Jonathan Walters and one for Michael Tonge. Stoke 2-0 Shrewsbury
Enjoy the game