B Team Preview: Stoke vs Saints

THE MATCH

Stoke City vs Saints
Premier League 2
Clayton Wood Training Ground
Monday 6th December, 4pm GMT

After a first defeat in six at Sunderland two weeks ago, Dave Horseman’s side returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over West Brom last-time-out.

Lining up with a youthful looking outfit against the second placed Baggies it seemed a tall order for Saints at Snows Stadium, especially when they went a goal behind on 16 minutes.

But the hosts bounced back, Luke Pearce with his second in as many B team games before Kazeem Olaigbe continued his own fine form with two goals of his own.

Fourth placed Stoke City also enjoyed victory last-time-out, meaning it’s just one defeat in the last five for the Potters.

Douglas James-Taylor’s 40th minute penalty secured all three points at Burnley, who played with ten men for 79 minutes following Max Thompson’s dismissal.

LAST MEETING

The two sides only met at the start of October, where a 1-1 draw was played out at Staplewood Campus.

James-Taylor gave the visitors the lead on eight minutes, before Saints went on to dominate the half at the training ground.

Finally they got their reward, Olaigbe converting from the penalty spot in first half stoppage time.

The result proved to be the start of Saints’ rich run of form, winning all but one and conceding just four goals in the matches since.

MANAGER’S NOTES

“The league this year has a real vary of playing styles,” said Horseman. “Stoke this year are well coached, they’re an excellently coached team.

“It’ll be another tough one. When we played them at home it was the start of the unbeaten run. It got quite messy and second half we had to hang on a little just to get a point.

“We’re in a better place now and they’re also probably in a good place. Monday afternoon at their training ground means maybe a couple of pros so it’ll be another big test.

“If we play like we did against West Brom then we’ll give them a real game.”