by Michael Baggaley
michael.baggaley@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE’S new signing Matthew Etherington says his faith in City’s survival chances convinced him to join the club from West Ham.

The 27-year-old left winger has penned a three-year deal after Stoke agreed to pay the Hammers a fee which is believed to be in the region of around £3m.

He is set to go straight into the side to play Liverpool on Saturday as City attempt to haul themselves out of the bottom three by stunning the league leaders.

Etherington’s capture leaves manager Tony Pulis free to concentrate on a list of other targets which includes Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood in a potential deal worth more than £2m.

Etherington has plenty of experience of relegation escapes having been at West Ham when they defied the odds to stay up two seasons ago.

Etherington said he intends playing in the Premier with Stoke next season. He added: “We have every chance here. I wouldn’t have come here if I thought we were certainties to go down. It wouldn’t interest me.

“I think we have every chance of staying up. The next two games, against Liverpool and Chelsea, will be tough, and anything we get from them will be a bonus. But we are more than capable of doing that.

“Then in the games after that it is about picking up points. I have seen the home record here and know teams don’t relish coming here.

“What happened at West Ham when we stayed up was incredible. Everyone wrote us off, but from early February the run we went on was Premier League winning form.

“That won’t happen often but I was there and I know what it is like.

“I’ve had good times and bad times at West Ham and now hopefully I can give a bit of that experience to Stoke.”

Etherington is hoping to become a fans’ favourite at Stoke where his pace and skill on the left will give Tony Pulis a welcome attacking option.

Etherington watched Stoke’s televised 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day and was in the stands at Upton Park when they went down 2-1 at West Ham two days later.

He says criticism of City’s style has been unfair.

He added: “In this league you have to be hard to beat and, thanks to good work from the manager, Stoke have proved they are very organised.

“I think the reason he has brought me in is to hopefully add a bit going forward. That is what I will be aiming to do.

“I look to excite the fans by getting the ball, running at players, beating them and making goals. Hopefully I can score a few too.

“That’s what I will be looking for and I will be doing everything I can in training to improve my game and be the best I can.”

The former Peterborough and Tottenham wideman says he can’t wait to play in front of a full house at the Britannia.

He added: “I have watched a few games on tv and everyone has commented on the atmosphere. I have heard it for myself but I bet it will be even louder when you are actually on the park playing.”

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