Fuller poised to face Latics + Diao & Whelan to return to starting XI?

By Martin Spinks | Published: Tuesday 09 Feb 2010 |

Feb09

by Martin Spinks
martin.spinks@thesentinel.co.uk

STOKE boss Tony Pulis will brush aside the latest controversy surrounding star striker Ricardo Fuller by including him in his squad to face Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium tonight (7.45pm).

Pulis has had a heart-to-heart chat with Fuller to ensure his mind is straight after he was arrested and detained for an alleged nightclub assault.

The 30-year-old Jamaican has been bailed pending further inquiries following an incident during the early hours of Sunday morning.

Fuller is accused of assaulting a 21-year-old man in the bar area of JFK nightclub in Hanley.

Staffordshire Police said the victim suffered minor facial injuries and did not need hospital treatment.

Fuller trained as normal on returning to the club yesterday and, fitness permitting, will appear in Stoke’s 18-man party for tonight’s match.

Pulis declined to comment on the incident, but has consistently stood by his maverick striker during his colourful three-and-a-half years at the Britannia.

Instead, the City boss has concentrated on calling for Fuller and Co to improve their “goals for” record while maintain their fine “goals against” record on their travels.

Stoke’s four goals in 11 away games this season is the worst tally in the Premier League, but their record of conceding just 13 away goals is bettered only by Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea.

“We’ve scored three goals in four of our last five home games,” said Pulis, “and now we’re looking for more goals away from home by being more potent at the top end of the pitch.

“It’s not through lack of chances, because we’ve created great chances away.
“But the goals have started flowing in at home, so I hope we get a bit of luck away from home and start scoring there as well.”

“We are unbeaten in six and that’s a fantastic achievement. To do that you’ve got to have character and spirit.”

Pulis is likely to rotate his forces again this evening to accommodate four games in 10 days.

Salif Diao and Glenn Whelan could return to midfield at the expense of Rory Delap and Liam Lawrence, while Turkish striker Tuncay could return for Fuller as they continue trading places in attack.

But Andy Wilkinson is cleared to play after have seven stitches in a head wound sustained during the 3-0 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Stoke hope to clear up the hitch in contract talks with Matthew Etherington when chief executive Tony Scholes re-arranges a meeting with the in-form winger’s representatives.

Etherington revealed yesterday that talks on an improved deal in the wake of his scintillating form this season had hit a stumbling block, but he refused to elaborate.

Do you think Fuller should play in the wake of his nightclub arrest? Would you bring Diao and Whelan back into the starting XI? Have your say below, or comment on our forum...

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Fuller

Submitted by bexhillpotter on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 13:56.

How can we judge whether or not Fuller should stay, we do not know the facts, but if he continues to frequent places alongside inebriated yobbo's then trouble will be close at hand, and questions could be asked as to why a man who needs to be fit and healthy for his career is there at 1am in the first place!

"Etherington revealed

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 17:01.

"Etherington revealed yesterday that talks on an improved deal in the wake of his scintillating form this season had hit a stumbling block, but he refused to elaborate." How often does a want to take a pay cut when he's playing shit?

Fuller

Submitted by Scolar Green Potter on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 20:11.

Bexhill potter you are absolutely correct. What on earth is a professional sportsman doing putting himself in this position ! The Club requires a code of conduct and standards, clubbing on a satday night should not be part of it. The club should fine him heavily and give him a final warning. A genius he can be but a fool as well its a very fine line !

Fuller

Submitted by Foster2 on Tue, 09/02/2010 - 22:50.

Fuller is vital to the team.

When he plays we do well. This was the case against Wigan where we did nothing up front before he came on.

I would say he's our most influential and important player.

Regarding the Wigan result.Im a little disappointed with a draw after our second half domination, however we were away and Wigan played much better the first half.

Fuller...

Submitted by Foster on Wed, 10/02/2010 - 09:57.

So long as he produces the goods on the pitch i don't mind if he wants to go out to celebrate winning matches.

Am very pleased with TPs positive approach to the 2nd half yesterday. Our superior fitness showed as the game wore on.

We could/should maybe have won it had Tunny not scuffed two good chances but i'm content with a point away from home and Tunny did well getting into the box from midfield to score the header. Wigan are a decent attacking side and i expect them to be mid-table by the end of the season.

Still not convinced with Sidibe's ball control skills though.

Thought Whitehead / Delap put in good performances again.

Jeffs post?...

Submitted by Foster on Wed, 10/02/2010 - 09:58.

..."Etherington revealed yesterday that talks on an improved deal in the wake of his scintillating form this season had hit a stumbling block, but he refused to elaborate." How often does a want to take a pay cut when he's playing shit?...

I actually don't understand what you mean?...

Fuller

Submitted by fanpotterglen on Wed, 10/02/2010 - 10:49.

Pity that Fuller isn't consistent. When he turns it on he is unstoppable but lets himself down when he wanders around aimlessly.
The introduction of Tuncay proves that working hard creates scoring chances, if Fuller could work with Tuncay we'd have a lot more goals and nail those away games like last night(Wigan) and Sunderland last week.
The tactical cock up at the back caused the goal last night, lets not do THAT again!
Great goal Tuncay, shame Sidibe and Beattie couldn't finish their attempts as well.

Fuller

Submitted by potterglen on Wed, 10/02/2010 - 11:06.

When he turns it on he's unstoppable, what we need from Fuller is consistency. The introduction of Tuncay shows that hard work creates many scoring opportunities, if Fuller would make the effort throughout the game we would nail the likes of Wigan, Sunderland, Bolton etc, away from home.
If Tuncay played every game I'm sure he would be our top scorer by the end of the season, great goal last night - shame Sidibe and Beattie couldn't finish their opportunity in the same way! Tactical cock up at the back cost us a goal last night, lets not do THAT again.

Your totally missing the

Submitted by Gary Hill on Wed, 10/02/2010 - 11:43.

Your totally missing the point.How can Fuller turn it on from the bench,your gripe should be with the idiot that is TP negative tactics.That goal is the first away goal we have scored in nine and a half hours,says it all he is a joke!