Stoke City FC v Fleetwood Town

Tuesday night sees a new team added to the record books, Stoke take on Fleetwood town for the first time in a competitive fixture.

Stoke go into the game on a high after winning their opening fixture of the season, the first time since 2009. Stoke’s 3-2 win over Reading showed glimpses of what the fans hope they will witness for the rest of the season.

New signings Ben Wilmot, Mario Vrancic and substitute Sam Surridge all left their mark on the game with the later scoring the winning goal.

Fleetwood Town didn’t get their season off on quiet the same way as Stoke, Simon Grayson’s side slipped to a 1-0 home defeat to Portsmouth. Fleetwood were the better of the two side for vast proportions of the game but were made to pay for their missed chances when Lee Brown scored with one of the few Shots Pompey had on target.

Usually we could look back on past results to see who’s had the best record for the fixture. Has this is the first time we’ve played Fleetwood that’s going to be hard. 

Fleetwood players to watch

Shayden Morris is a 19 year old striker who’s yet to register his first professional goal but started the season against Pompey looking sharp and a threat. Fleetwood have a young striker force with all 3 that started at the weekend were under 23.

How will Stoke line up.

Michael O’Neill will probably change the side a little bit from the win over Reading. Harry Souttar fresh from his Olympic experience could start, Sam Surridge should also make a start following his debut goal at the weekend. Josh Tymon went of with concussion so won’t be available for the game, Alfie Doughty could start though Fox could be push into wing back with Souttar’s inclusion. 

What would your team be?

Do Stoke produce the goods to progress in tha Carabao Cup?