Manager Tony Pulis believes Stoke City are starting to feel the effects of a long and hard Premier League season.The FA Cup finalists play Wolves on Tuesday and Pulis has appealed to the supporters to lift the players in the final five Premier League matches.
"A lot of the players are not only physically tired but mentally tired," he told BBC Radio Stoke after the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday.
"We need the supporters to really be our 12th man against Wolves."
Pulis continued: "It's sold out already and we've got to raise the roof again.
"It will be a tough game because Wolves will come and they'll be desperate to do well."
The Potters are five points above the relegation zone and picked up their first point away from home since 26 December.
Kenwyne Jones gave Stoke the lead at Villa Park in their first fixture since beating Bolton 5-0 in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, before Darren Bent equalised just before half time.
"I thought we were very good in the first 43 minutes until Bent scored," said Pulis. "He gets the goal and it's a different game in the second half.
"It's difficult because they've played in a massive game last week.
"To come back and put in a performance for 90 minutes is difficult but they got through it and I'm really pleased."
Meanwhile, striker Ricardo Fuller will have a scan on an Achilles injury that he picked up in the closing stages of the game on Saturday.
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport