29-09-2021, 23:24
![[Image: Stoke-City-v-West-Bromwich-Albion-Sky-Be...tadium.jpg]](https://i.ibb.co/4gbW96C/Stoke-City-v-West-Bromwich-Albion-Sky-Bet-Championship-bet365-Stadium.jpg)
With September's matches over, we stride forward into October with a fresh spring in our step courtesy of back to back wins that have lifted us to the top of the pile again, and a trip to the Britannia on Friday night is all that stands between us and an unbeaten run going into the second international break.
Having spent several seasons wandering the wilderness (as it transpired that signing Albion rejects is apparently not a recipe for triumph and glory), the Potters are currently punching a little way above the mid-table mediocrity of recent years, having remained undefeated on home turf so far this campaign. Michael O'Neill's Stoke are surprising a few teams with the goal-threat from Jacob Brown supported by Mario Vrancic and Nick Powell, though their midfield will be a makeshift affair in this match due to Romaine Sawyers being ineligible to play Albion, Sam Clucas suspended and Joe Allen on the mend from injury.
Albion looked more defensively solid against Cardiff in addition to the avalanche of goals up the other end, with self-belief restored to the team. Having finally found his shooting boots, Karlan Grant has to be the first name on the team-sheet, and hopefully his run of form will continue. Stoke's days of "we always beat West Brom" are largely history now, with just two wins in eleven since the beginning of 2015, and nor is the Britannia such a fearsome fortress; indeed, Albion registered two victories there in 2019 alone. But as both teams look to stamp their authority on the promotion race, Friday night's encounter could end up being a close and crucial one.
They Played For Both
Solve the anagrams to find former Albion men who've also turned out for Stoke:
1. HONORIA ABIDES
2. CALM JAM SCENE
3. FERRET CHANDLER
4. GERI DOWNTIME PEE
5. BARELEGGED ODEY
6. DEATH MARKETS
7. YETI'S HAMMOCK
8. ROG SHAT ROCK
9. ALDOUS RINGS USSR
10. LOUD PANSY
11. AUSTERE METRICS
12. YEA, BEN WANKS
13. FANNY LENS
14. ICIER BRAN
15. FOND TORY
16. LACE RUPEE
17. THE GAY TRACK
18. HAH, MEGA BARRY
19. MORPH REGATTA
20. LULU'S HOLSTER
21. CALIPH'S DUOPOLIES
22. FOUGHT SERF
23. ENTRAPS KIEV
24. TYLENOL HANKY
Solve the anagrams to find former Albion men who've also turned out for Stoke:
1. HONORIA ABIDES
2. CALM JAM SCENE
3. FERRET CHANDLER
4. GERI DOWNTIME PEE
5. BARELEGGED ODEY
6. DEATH MARKETS
7. YETI'S HAMMOCK
8. ROG SHAT ROCK
9. ALDOUS RINGS USSR
10. LOUD PANSY
11. AUSTERE METRICS
12. YEA, BEN WANKS
13. FANNY LENS
14. ICIER BRAN
15. FOND TORY
16. LACE RUPEE
17. THE GAY TRACK
18. HAH, MEGA BARRY
19. MORPH REGATTA
20. LULU'S HOLSTER
21. CALIPH'S DUOPOLIES
22. FOUGHT SERF
23. ENTRAPS KIEV
24. TYLENOL HANKY
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley
