It’s the start of a new regime once again. Alex Neil is now the forth manager to take the reins at Stoke with hope of returning to the Premier League. Michael O’Neill has managed to reduce the squad size down by getting rid of the big earners whilst bringing in young players hungry for success. 

That work done by O’Neill has given Alex Neil a great platform to build on that’s if he doesn’t fall into the same trap O’Neill and Jones fell into. Those two managers had set ways of how they wanted to play, the flaw with that was we just didn’t have the players to play the Systems they wanted especially when injuries happened in key areas.

Alex Neil has said he plays different systems based on the players available, so hopefully it means less square pegs in round holes from now on.

Tonight’s game pits ex Stoke player Joe Allen against us for the first time since his summer move back to Wales, but he’s unlikely to play due to injury. I wonder what reception the bet365 crowd would give him if he did get on the pitch, surely it will be a good one

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Tonight’s fixture will be the 79th meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 32

Draws 21

Swansea wins 25

The last meeting 

The last meeting between the sides was in Feb at the bet365 Stadium. Swansea style of play means they have lots of possession of the ball, upwards of 60% in most games, but not this one. Stoke totally dominated the game from the off. Philogene-Bidace opened the scoring that day with Baker & Brown adding to the scoreline to give the Potters a well deserved 3-0 win.

Swansea don’t usually travel well to the potteries, having only one once in ST4 since 2001

Who’s the threat

One name stands out on the team sheet and that is ex Stoke player Joe Allen. Joël Piroe is another outstanding talent, Stoke defence will need to work hard to keep him quiet.

Form

Stoke

Morecambe (5)0-0(3) Stoke (cup)

Huddersfield 3-1 Stoke

Stoke 2-2 Middlesbrough 

Stoke 0-1 Sunderland

Blackburn 0-1 Stoke

Swansea

Oxford (5) 2-2 (3) Swansea (cup)

Blackpool 0-1 Swansea

Swansea 2-2 Millwall

Swansea 0-2 Luton

Middlesbrough 2-1 Swansea 

How could Stoke set up for the game.

I don’t think Neil will change much from the 1-0 win at Blackburn. Neil hasn’t had much time time the squad to implement and large scale changes and having watch a very good first 45 mins at Ewood park playing 4-3-3 I’d expect to see that once again

What is your score Prediction?