Comment by Denis Smith

DON’T tell me that tomorrow’s game is dead, not when there’s a top-half finish to be had.

A couple of decent results against Wigan and Arsenal would propel Stoke to those dizzy heights, and what an incentive that should be.

If I was a Stoke player, I’d love nothing better than to put my feet up over the summer after finishing in the top 10.

But even if Stoke were to lose these last two games, we all know what a terrific first season it’s been in the Premier League.

Tony Pulis deserves all the credit going, and so does Peter Coates for the backing he’s given his manager.

I watched Wigan’s game against Manchester United on Wednesday and it’s easy to see why they had no relegation problems this year.

They played 4-5-1 that night, but I fancy they might go back to 4-4-2 tomorrow and bring Mido back into attack with his size.

They will have packed their midfield on Wednesday because United play through you, but there’s not much point having an extra midfielder against a Stoke team looking to by-pass you.

Wigan’s back four looks pretty solid, especially now Titus Bramble seems to have matured, while the two full-backs love to get forward.

Lee Cattermole in midfield is another Mickey Bernard because he kicks everything that moves.

Antonio Valencia on the right and Charles N’Zogbia on the left have genuine quality and will need a close eye.

That’s why I fancy Tony will move Ryan Shawcross back to centre-half and return Andy Wilkinson to right-back, while Danny Pugh’s experience could give him the nod at left-back.

I sat on the work permit panel for the young Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega and saw enough of him on video to know Stoke can’t afford to concede free-kicks within goalscoring territory. He’s potentially that good.

I speak to Steve Bruce quite regularly at Wigan and it’s obvious his biggest problem is losing his best players.

He’s already lost Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey in the January transfer window, and now there’s talk of Valencia being off in the summer.

Hopefully, that might mean him skipping one or two hefty challenges tomorrow.

Bruce’s problem could soon be Stoke’s problem because the bigger clubs are bound to be taking an interest in how they’ve done so well.

I see Shawcross has already been mentioned in relation to Arsenal, interesting given Arsene Wenger’s comment about his bone-breaking tackling earlier in the season.

Middlesbrough’s assistant manager Malcolm Crosby was also telling me the other day that what they’ve lacked this season is an Abdoulaye Faye.

Sorry Malcolm, but you can’t have him.

Other Stoke City stories online today:
Potters poet has internet fanbase (+VIDEO)
Coates and Pulis plan for major shake-up
Kitson still has Stoke future, says Pulis
Denis Smith: Potters need to win to push on for top-10 finish
It’s party time for Potters boss
We’re here for keeps, says Sorensen
Hunger for Premier League success drives Whelan on to new heights
Match stats - Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic
Taking a punt - Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic
In the know - Wigan Athletic
Talking tactics: Stoke City vs Wigan Athletic
Pen pics - Wigan Athletic