Big Ideas for Little Denmark

A new brand of football is taking the world by storm and Denmark is ready to embark on the journey with football's most elite nations - forget direct long ball tactics, the applause of a crunching tackle or Richard Møller Nielsen's defensive 'Give it back to Schmeichel' tactics of 1992 ; modern football is becoming a science involving meticulous preparation and planning to unravel opposition defences in ways that would have been unthought of back in football's heyday.

Today's tika-taka philosophy engineered most effectively by the current Spain and Barcelona sides derived from Holland's total-football style back in the 1970's. The 4-4-2 formation is a thing of the past and whilst all successful teams in the modern era are adopting this approach, Denmark is harbouring ambitions of mirroring this style of play.

Despite boasting only 5.5 million people equal to Kyrgyzstan and slightly less than Sierra Leone, Denmark can consider its fortunes on the football field to be admirable. Whilst the aforementioned countries do not have the same facilites on offer to aid development of the game, it puts into persepctive how well the national team has nurtured itself into becoming top ten in the FIFA world rankings for the first time since May 2003 currently lying behind two-time World Cup winners Argentina (40.5m population). While these rankings cannot be given total respect and no Dane would suggest they are on par with the South Ameican giants, since Danish football only turned professional in 1978, this small nation has had to grow up very fast to climb football's hierachy. Considering the English league turned professional in 1888 and the Spanish league in 1926, it shows what great strides have been taken.

Current national team coach Morten Olsen's tactical prowess has been questioned in the past but the fact the DBU has chosen to extend his contract until 2014 shows the manner of the job taking place. Olsen also works closely with the younger national teams and their coaches Morten Wieghorst and Thomas Frank in nurturing the young talent. Denmark's rapid rise in 18 months from 35th to the top ten in the world has not come without significant hard work and effort.

Five years ago Morten Olsen called for change in the setup of the youth system in the country through all levels. He wanted to implement a new strategy and specific way of training to combine the Barca and Dutch way of playing the beautiful game from the bottom all the way to the top.

The national team missed out on a place at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and had slumped to 38th in the world, their lowest ever position. The existing squad was a decaying shadow  of their Michael Laudrup inspired machine of the 1980's, or the resolute regiment Richard Møller Nielsen guided to glory at Euro 1992, or the squad that accomplished the position of number 3 on the world ladder in 1997. Since taking the reins in 2000, Olsen had now seen enough and showed his tactical acumen in attempting to revolutionise Danish football at all levels. Despite finishing fourth in qualifying for Euro 2008 behind Spain, Sweden and minnows Northern Ireland, forward strides are now being made. The DBU's general secretary Jim Stjerne Hansen is confident in Olsen's approach: "His results are indisputable, and the way the team plays bears witness to the fact that we are on the right path."

Thomas Frank is the coach of the U16 and U17 national youth teams and working closely with Olsen believes the strategy is very, very good: "Football is a huge part of Danish culture and a successful national team breeds positivity. The new strategy is in place but we have only touched the tip of the iceberg so far. Over the next five years we should start to see a real improvement."

By the time of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Frank is optimistic that there is a good possibility that Denmark should believe they can compete with the best nations in the world and not there simply to make up the numbers: "Luck and timing are of course important but we have a lot of good players and with the strategy pushing forward there is a good possibility of success."

"It is also important not to be too strict and be able to adjust. For a small country we are a big football nation and we should think as a big nation. It is important to get results and aid development and compete with the best certainly in Europe. We must be aware of every young player in the country and get the most from our resources and we will have the ability to remain in Europe's top ten, then the long term goal will be to get as close to the top three (Spain, Germany, Holland) as possible."

The DBU has just shy of 300,000 players and 1614 clubs registered under its name, a number significantly lower than Europe's elite nations. The number however is similiar to Japan (ranked 19 in FIFA world rankings) who can also be considered an up-and-coming football nation. Since co-hosting the 2002 World Cup Japan has been making major strides in terms of youth development and following their recent Asia Cup success, has a similiar strategy as Denmark but has set the 2050 World Cup as a realistic target to conquer the world. But before comparing Denmark to Japan, Frank is looking to close the gap on Europe's elite first where he says: "Germany, Holland, Spain and Switzerland have the best youth programs."

Thomas Frank has been busy implementing this new football philosophy orchestrated by Morten Olsen with the U16 and U17 teams. He led the U17 into the European Championships in Serbia this year and a month later took his young side to Mexico for the U17 World Cup.  Denmark was the team of the group stage under Frank's stewardship with some brilliant attacking football inspired by Ajax's Viktor Fischer and FCK's Kenneth Zohore. The Danes beat hosts Serbia in the quarter-final in front of the tournaments biggest crowd of 6,000 before luck evaded them in the semi-finals succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to eventual runners-up Germany.

Whilst expectation was high a month later in June of this year for the U17 World Cup, Denmark only managed one point from the group stage coming in a 1-1 draw with Australia in the final group game having already lost to Brazil and Ivory Coast. Frank points the finger at only having one month to recuperate between two major tournaments as to why Denmark failed to live up to their tag in Mexico as one of the top three U17 teams in Europe: "Mental energy was lacking at the World Cup. I still believe now that we are in the top eight in the world but we didn't prove it. It was a fantastic experience however with everything mirroring a real World Cup. The draw was also unkind pairing us with Brazil and Ivory Coast who are amongst the best in the world. It shows how tough it is when Holland also only gathered one point from their group games having won the U17 Euros a month earlier brushing aside everyone."

Frank has a good record as coach of the U17's winning 35 of his 60 games in charge and has since taken his U16 team to play two friendlies in Israel where Morten Wieghorst's U21 side will hope to be competing at the 2013 European Championships with his side three points behind Serbia in qualifying but with a game-in-hand. Israel certainly seems a far cry from a friendly with neighbouring Sweden but Frank states the importance of these fixtures for the future development of these players: "It is very important to see different football cultures and play in different environments where heat and thin air can be a factor." The two games ended with one victory and one defeat, but despite football being a results based industry at this age level, its more about philosophy than results.

Barcleona and Spain midfielder, Xavi is a key icon in exercising the style of play that Olsen wants all the Danish young teams to replicate and he famously quoted: "For young players there will come a time when they need to understand the importance of winning but when they start, it is more important that they learn to express themselves and play the ball without fear."

Xavi is a graduate of Barcelona's renowned youth academy, 'La Masia' which provided seven players in Spain's World Cup winning squad in South Africa. The academy was established in 1979 by Johan Cryff and in its 33rd year is now recognised as the best in the world. In 2004 FC Midtjylland became the first Danish club to set up an academy to house and educate the best footballers in the country. The idea and model came from the ideas of French Club Nantes for players from U16 to U19 level. Thomas Frank is a huge fan of this academy: "FC Midtjylland have certainly raised the bar and are doing very well for the country. Their academy is one of a kind in Denmark." AS Roma and national team defender Simon Kjaer is the most notable graduate of the sysytem.

Another masterplan created by the DBU is the recent formation of the U21 domestic league for clubs to breed its youngsters into competitive games. The former Lyngby coach, Frank states: "This is excellent for 17, 18 and 19-year-olds to compete. That is the idea behind the formation of the regional leagues. 20 and 21-year-olds should already have progressed if they are good enough."

It is clear that there are plans in place to have a knock-on effect in the overall success of the national team but Frank still insists that the best players should go abroad as the Danish league does not have enough money pumped into it to ever become one of the best in Europe: "Players should definitely go abroad to learn their trade if they can. Looking at the likes of Christain Eriksen, Viktor Fischer and Nicolai Boilesen at Ajax, they are learning far more playing with better players."

Taking Spain for example, 15 years ago it would have been unthinkable for Spaniards to play abroad but it seems the different cultures and higher levels of competitiveness create stronger personalities and more equipped footballers. It could be questionable what Spain would have won without the English Premier League and its players gaining varied football educations to propell them into even better footballers, which is why it's important more players are given the same opportunities as the three young Danish stars in Holland.
Christian Eriksen stylishly conducts proceedings for the national team at just 19 and will provide the nucleus for many years. He continues a trend that has always associated Denmark with its work ethic and organisation whilst having two or three creative individuals to provide that extra spark. Eriksen playing behind Niklas Bendtner and protected by William Kvist and Niki Zimling along with two attacking wingers is the blueprint for the future of the Barcelona philosophy that Denmark is trying to replicate. Mario Zagallo pioneered the 4-2-3-1 formation with Brazil in the 1970's where emphasis is to build the play from the back with an orchestrator playing as the No.10 to unlock the defence.

Whilst June 26, 1992 remains Denmarks finest hour there could be a new date in the future, forever embedded in Danish history. Whilst most might consider this a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Morten Olsen and his staff are all working closely to put their big ideas into practice with this small nation thinking very big. The first aim is to reach the knockout stages in the 2012 European Championships next summer in Poland and Ukraine and then re-evaluate how far the strategy has progressed.

High-flying Seagulls preying for Stoke scalp

Saturday’s David and Goliath clash in the Potteries has all the ingredients for a mouth-watering afternoon of FA Cup football. Gus Poyet takes his table-topping Brighton side to Premier League Stoke with the Seagulls flying on cloud nine.

The home side must guard against complacency against the League One side that will be full of confidence ahead of the game having lost only four times in 28 games this season and looking destined for a return to the Championship. Despite 34 places separating these two sides in the football league ladder, the Potters must stick to their usual no-nonsense approach if they are to harbour serious ambitions of reaching the latter stages of the competition.

Whilst both sides might see this fixture as a welcome distraction from the league, the importance of the game for both clubs is significant with a quarter-final place at stake for the victors. However, not too many people would have been celebrating at the seaside when the draw was made with Stoke holding a superior psychological edge against the League One leaders having won the last seven meetings between the two sides. Brighton’s last victory was back in 2001 when the sides met in the old Division Two in a top-of-the-table clash on a cold September night. Paul Watson was the injury-time hero in a 1-0 win in front of just over 6,000 fans. You have to go back even further for Brighton’s last victory on Stoke soil.

The last time Brighton endured success in the Potteries was all the way back in 1961 at Stoke’s old Victoria Ground. This won’t dampen the spirits of almost 4,000 travelling fans though heading north to the Britannia Stadium dreaming of a repeat of the 1983 final which saw them take Manchester United to a final replay before succumbing to a 4-0 defeat putting an end to Albion’s ‘Roy of the Rovers’ fairytale.

Having scored four goals in their last away game at Bristol Rovers and on a five-game unbeaten run, Gus Poyet’s side have valid reason to believe they can pull off a giant killing with the scalp of Premier League Stoke who have established themselves in the top-flight and realistically believe they have a chance of cup glory. Tony Pulis will be aware of the threat which Brighton pose and will have done his homework on trying to stop the goal threats of Glenn Murray and Ashley Barnes who have 24 goals between them so far this campaign.

In the two previous rounds which Stoke have played against Wolves and Cardiff, Pulis has opted to ring the changes but has seen his weakened sides prove their worth with two away wins. The Welshman is again likely to make changes from the side that was beaten in dramatic fashion at Birmingham last weekend. Ricardo Fuller will be pushing for a start in attack whilst changes to Stoke’s defensive line look certain with Marc Wilson and Danny Pugh making way for Andy Wilkinson and Danny Collins.

In fact, the last time the two sides met was on the final day of the 2006 season at Brighton’s Withdean Stadium. The already relegated Seagulls were thumped 5-1 by a weakened Stoke side thanks to a hat-trick from youngster Adam Rooney now plying his trade with Inverness in the SPL.

Although Stoke clearly hold the upper hand, goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has called on his teammates to remain focussed and guard against complacency: “We don’t want to be making the headlines Sunday morning for the wrong reasons.”

“The last thing we want is to let all the hard work we have done so far go to waste by thinking we can just turn up on Saturday and win. We are treating this game like any other Premier League game because they deserve our respect,” said the 34-year-old.

Having won his 92^nd cap for Denmark against England recently, Sorensen is likely to be another change made by Tony Pulis with Asmir Begovic dropping to the bench and the big Dane returning to the starting XI.

The visitors are also likely to make changes for the tie welcoming back Chris Wood and Matt Sparrow from injury. Although the Seagulls may not have any household names at their disposal, Gus Poyet will be hoping after this game that some of his squad will have etched their name into FA Cup folklore. The Uruguayan is likely to line-up with their usual 4-3-3 attacking formation and will be looking to start on the front foot against a stubborn Stoke side with Wood joining Barnes and Murray in attack.

Zigic Niks all three points

Nikola Zigic was the stoppage-time hero for Birmingham as the Carling Cup finalists secured a vital three points against a stubborn Stoke side.

The game had been very nip-and-tuck with both keepers rather redundant between the posts until Zigic grabbed a 93^rd minute winner. The result gives Alex McLeish’s side their first back-to-back league wins for 14 months after Zigic rescued the Blues again, following his winner at West Ham last Sunday.

The 6ft 8ins Serbia international nodded in a Cameron Jerome cross after Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic had spilled David Bentley's low shot. Begovic did not have much else to do in a drab Midlands derby but failed to hold onto what looked like a routine save for the Bosnian who has been in fine form of late.

It looked like both sides would share the spoils in a match where chances were few and far between, with much of the game being bossed by both defences but after Stoke’s rare lapse in concentration, the former Potters target Zigic was allowed to ease the home side’s relegation fears and move them into 14^th above rivals Aston Villa.

Both teams lined up with 4-4-2 formations and continued to cancel each other out particularly in the final third. Birmingham’s new front pairing of Zigic and Obafemi Martins were given no change from Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth who marshalled Stoke’s defence very well, while Stoke’s new forward line of Kenwyne Jones and John Carew were often thwarted by a resolute Roger Johnson and Martin Jiranek. Though the game will not live in the memory for too long, Blues’ fans will just be grateful of the points in their bid to secure Premier League safety.

Boxing Day was the last time that Stoke had won away from the Potteries and they would have certainly fancied their chances at St. Andrews after they weathered an early storm from the hosts to create the lion’s share of what few chances came along in the first half. Former Birmingham man, Jermaine Pennant was the creative fulcrum for the Potters as he enjoyed the benefit of a pair of almost unmissable targets in Carew and Jones, and it was his cultured delivery from the right flank that frequently made life uncomfortable for the one-time Stoke trainee Ben Foster in the Birmingham goal.

But while the two strapping front men battered Foster, they could not better him, and in the absence of tangible reward for his creative efforts, Pennant almost took matters into his own hands, curling a low free-kick inches wide of Foster's left-hand upright.

It was of no surprise though to Stoke’s travelling fans that the Potters would not muster an early goal as they remain the only team in England not to have scored in the opening 15 minutes of a match this season.

Birmingham started to come back into the game as the first half drew to a close with David Bentley and Sebastian Larsson providing some energy down the flanks as they tried to capitalise on the frailties of Stoke’s stand-in full backs Danny Pugh and Marc Wilson.

The only notable moment of the second half came when Huth looked to have handled Bentley’s effort with a raised arm but referee Mark Halsey waved played on as the German cleverly fell to the ground clutching his face.

As the game petered out and seemed destined for a goalless draw, Zigic then rose highest in the box to ensure Birmingham hold the bragging rights between these two Midland’s rivals until next time.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis could not hide his frustration after the game after seeing his side surrender a point in a game they were rarely troubled in:  “Asmir Begovic should have cuddled that ball, it shouldn't have come off him as it did, but up to that I thought we defended very well. The disappointing thing is that, from a game we thought we'd seen out, we ended up losing.”

Stoke Shaw to be in for Tough Afternoon

Ryan Shawcross leads Stoke to the Emirates this weekend for the first time since his challenge on Gunners midfielder Aaron Ramsey which left the Welshman with a broken leg last February.

Arsene Wenger has been a constant critic of both Stoke and Shawcross in particular but Stoke boss Tony Pulis says his defender has nothing to be ashamed of:  "I've seen the challenge over and over again, and I am convinced he didn't go in with any malice. In fact, 99.9 per cent of people who've seen that challenge would say he's gone in fair and square. He made an honest, committed challenge and has nothing to be worried or ashamed about.

We are very, very proud of Ryan at Stoke because he's been a big part of what we've tried to build here over the last four or five years. Personally, I don't give a damn what anybody else thinks. Our supporters love him and that's all that matters to me. He's very, very happy here and we will look after him,” he added.

There is certainly no love-loss between both managers with Stoke shocking Wenger’s men twice in the last two seasons with a Premier League victory and an FA Cup scalp against the Gunners. The way Stoke have gone about their business against Arsenal and roughed up their fluid passing game has angered Wenger but as he looks to end a barren spell of five-and-a half years without silverware, he has called on the home fans to show the Potters some respect: "What happened in the past, happened in the past. I don't think there's any need to add fuel on it, and just focus on playing as we do and respect our opponents."

Having lost top spot to Manchester United following their 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford, Arsenal has an early chance to return to the Premier League summit on Saturday.

With United not playing Chelsea until Sunday, victory for the Gunners against Stoke would put them a point clear at the top of the table. That would be the perfect tonic after a disappointing display against their title rivals on Monday night.

The Potters will be hoping to gain their first point at the Emirates in two attempts. Having seen Manchester United nullify Arsenal with a 4-5-1 line-up earlier this week, Pulis could consider leaving out Kenwyne Jones or Ricardo Fuller to accommodate another body in midfield.

Stoke have reason to believe they can upset the odds on Saturday after already seeing Arsenal beaten at home by newly-promoted West Brom and Newcastle. They have also needed late goals against West Ham and Fulham to secure wins. The Potters will need to make more of their chances though should they get anything from the game. Last week, Stoke failed to capitalise on numerous attempts at goal before succumbing to a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Blackpool.

And all eyes will be on the woodwork tomorrow as Stoke (12) and Arsenal (11) have struck bars and posts more than any other Premier League team this season.

On their day, the Gunners can be unplayable with their stylish football and impressive passing and movement but Stoke provide a tougher physical test for the home side and will look to break up the play whenever possible.

Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is still struggling with a hip injury so young Pole Wojciech Szczesny could continue in goal after an impressive display against Manchester United, while striker Nicklas Bendtner may not be involved as his partner is about to give birth to their first child.

Wenger will be boosted however by the availability of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie who confirmed their return to fitness with second half appearances at Old Trafford. Abou Diaby is also back in training after an ankle injury but is unlikely to figure too early ahead of a busy festive period.

Stoke forward Jon Walters faces a late fitness test having missed training this week with flu and this is the only new injury worry to contend with for Tony Pulis after last week's loss to Blackpool.

DJ Decks Stoke

DJ Campbell scored the only goal of the game as Blackpool took yet another step to safety against a Stoke side previously unbeaten in their last five outings.

The game had been dubbed the ‘Stanley Matthews derby’ and marked a day of celebration to remember the great that Pele once described as “the man that taught the world to play football.”

Forget kiss-me-quick hats, stag does and the pleasure beach – Blackpool has a new attraction – the endeavour and never-say-die attitude of the team with the smallest budget in the league. Ian Holloway has masterminded a fearless approach which not only entertains but reaps rewards. Just like a bed and breakfast this time of year, the Seasiders have no vacancies in their squad either for passengers.

Despite only a 1-0 scoreline, both sides created a number of chances that could have seen a repeat of last years score in the third round of the Carling Cup which ended 4-3 to the Potters. DJ Campbell’s predatory strike secured the visitors fourth away of the season and despite Stoke having 19 attempts at goal, a dubious disallowed goal and three attempts off the woodwork, Blackpool’s slick passing game and ability to keep the ball so well in the middle of the field helped them secure another famous win.

Skipper Charlie Adam was influential for the visitors and showed why clubs are starting to sniff around for his services as we head into the January transfer window. Before the game, Stoke boss Tony Pulis had highlighted this game as one of his side’s toughest tests as his good friend Holloway brought his organised team to the Potteries attempting to emulate the achievements of Stoke and establish themselves in the Premier League whilst everyone around them has written them off.

Blackpool started the game very sluggishly considering they haven’t played for two weeks following their weather-enforced lay-off and Stoke’s forward line of Kenywne Jones and Ricardo Fuller caused early nervous moments for the visitors.

The two combined to fashion Stoke's first shot on goal as Jones cushioned down Rory Delap's long cross only to see his strike-partner's fierce half-volley blocked by Craig Cathcart.

Jones continued to threaten - with a header and scuffing a shot wide - and was left exasperated as Etherington failed to pick him out on a swift counter-attack.

Blackpool struggled to muster such attacking threat, but came closest to opening the scoring as Andy Wilkinson's last-ditch intervention proved just enough to deny Luke Varney before Campbell hooked a volley wide.

Neil Eardley's long-range shot, which endangered the top tier of the stand rather than Stoke's net, was more representative of their early efforts however as they struggled to secure the possession to feed their passing game.

But a tight offside decision went against the visitors as Campbell bore down on Asmir Begovic's goal from Varney's through-ball leaving the game evenly balanced at the interval.

It took Campbell just three minutes into the second half to give his side the lead. Luke Varney’s cutback was missed by Adam but Campbell, a key figure in Blackpool's promotion from the Championship, flicked out a foot ahead of Robert Huth to divert past Begovic.

Stoke fans know only too well that their side save their best till last with 17 of their 21 league goals coming in the second half. The crowd raised the volume hoping for a response and an equaliser to maintain their good run but their efforts were in vain as the visitors refused to be penned back.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher came close to doubling Blackpool’s advantage with a powerful far-post header which rattled the cross bar after excellent work from Adam to work the ball into the Stoke box.

Pulis began to search for a ‘Plan B’ with the game entering the final stages, bringing on Jon Walters and Tuncay, to try and regain the momentum and the changes seemed justified as Blackpool were immediately forced onto the back foot with an Etherington free-kick and Huth header causing problems in the Blackpool box.

The visitors however managed to hold on and unlike at the Reebok in their last outing, refused to loosen their grip on the three points. The result is a huge three points for newly promoted Blackpool and yet again proves this league is the most open and unpredictable Premier League for some time.

Stoke want more Wigan Woes

Match of the Day’s editorial team may already have this fixture at the DW stadium pencilled in for the last slot before the credits role, but two men that won’t care are Roberto Martinez and Tony Pulis.

While there are murmurs of European football in some quarters of the Potteries, Pulis has been quick to quash talk of Europe and is still focused solely on Premier League survival despite his side's surge into the top half of the table: "I've always said that it was a three-year plan coming into the Premier League.  If we maintain Premier League status for a third year, then we can really push on," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

The Potters head to Lancashire unbeaten in four games and eighth in the table and will be buoyed by last weekend’s last-gasp equaliser over Manchester City despite having dominated the whole first half.

Having ran out 3-0 winners at West Brom in their last game away from the Britannia, Stoke have every reason to be optimistic especially against a depleted Wigan side who have only found the net 11 times this season – the lowest in the Premier League. The Latics have lost the last two league games, both away from the DW however and were dumped out of the Carling Cup at Arsenal on Tuesday.

But as Roberto Martinez may have thought things couldn’t get any worse with his side languishing in the bottom three, striker Victor Moses could be out for up to three months after dislocating his shoulder during their defeat at Arsenal.

The striker landed awkwardly as he challenged Emmanuel Eboue and Theo Walcott for the ball and was expected to be out for four to six weeks. But further tests have shown he is likely to be sidelined until spring. Latics boss Martinez said: "It is a real blow. He has worked hard to earn his place in the side.

We have to prepare for a massive game on Saturday against Stoke and look for consistency in our league form," he added.

The last two meetings between the sides at Wigan have both ended all square. Last season saw Stoke’s Tuncay grab a deserved late equaliser after Paul Scharner had opening the scoring after just 14 minutes.

Saturday’s encounter will no doubt be a nip-and-tuck affair but history shows this fixture can provide goals. Nine years ago on a cold November night in Lancashire these two sides were battling for promotion back to the Old Division 1 when the Latics ran out emphatic 6-1 winners in front of just 7,000 fans.

And more recently in the reverse fixture last season at the Britannia in front of the Sky Sports cameras Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa scored from his own half in an end-to-end clash with finished 2-2.

Only Blackpool have a worse home record than Wigan this season but one stat that the home side will be keen to continue is that the Potters have not won a single game during December in the last two seasons in the top flight.

Wigan has problems up front ahead of the game with Hugo Rodallega suspended and Victor Moses out for a lengthy spell. In addition, Franco di Santo is rated 50-50, although Mauro Boselli should shake off a knee problem.

The visitors will be without midfielder Marc Wilson, who is serving a one-match ban while the in-form winger Jermaine Pennant is an early doubt. Pennant has a hamstring problem while defender Andy Wilkinson is struggling with his knee - both will have late fitness tests.

Potters up four the Challenge

Saturday’s fixture at the Britannia Stadium has all the ingredients for a classic – it could be billed as the best players versus the best team these days with Manchester City’s marquee signings and Stoke’s unrivalled team ethic and spirit. Unfortunately for the visitor’s cheque books don’t always win football games.

This fixture however has a lot of history for both clubs. These days the talk of the Potteries is about living the Premier League dream, whilst the streets of Manchester dare to dream of silverware but how fortunes have changed over the last decade. Barely 12 years ago, were the Gallagher brothers arriving by helicopter at the Britannia for a 1^st division clash that would see both sides relegated to the third tier of English football on a day of despair. Even more painful are the memories for the visitors who ran out 5-2 winners only for freak results elsewhere to send them down with the hosts.

Now following an upturn in fortunes the sides meet with Stoke chasing a fourth successive win in the top flight since 1981. With back-to-back clean sheets to their name, the Potters recent resurgence has seen them leapfrog from 17^th to eight in just 11 days.  The visitors however, will be buoyed by their demolition of Fulham last Sunday adding fuel to the fire of their former boss, Mark Hughes. Roberto Mancini will be under no illusions though that Stoke will not let his superstars have so much time on the ball to find that killer pass.

Despite comments about Mancini’s negative approach to games and the furore around the dressing room egos and ongoing spats, this weekend will be the first time the Italian can finally pick from a virtually full-strength squad this season. After spending a king's ransom over the summer, a combination of injuries and suspensions denied Mancini the chance to select a host of signings such as Mario Balotelli, Jerome Boateng and Aleksandar Kolarov, but they are now primed to help City's assault on a first league title since 1968. Whether they can actually win the title is a hotly disputed topic but with five England internationals sat on their bench last week there is no doubt they have more than enough resources at their disposal.

While Stoke will look to stifle City and be a totally different proposition, Serbian fullback Kolarov is confident City can match the home side’s physical prowess: "Stoke especially play hard and are a very physical team, but we are strong as well. We can match them and battle as well as play football.

I have seen a lot of their games on TV so I know how they play. They do very well at home, but I think we are a better than them," he added.

One man that will be the key for the visitors is lone striker Carlos Tevez. The skipper is evidently the one to watch as he drifts into pockets of space and then looks to catch defenders cold before unleashing the venomous shot he possesses. Pulis will have his players well drilled for Tevez’s movement and he will be keen to make sure they remained disciplined and not go chasing the Argentine when he drops deep or into wide areas.

Following clean sheets at home to Liverpool and away at West Brom though, Stoke’s back line will be full of confidence. There is certainly an air of assurance about goalkeeper Asmir Begovic since he has made the number one shirt his own, while the central defensive partnership of Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth is proving a tough nut to crack. There seems to be excellent communication in recent weeks between the back four but Saturday’s game and the way City line up in their unorthodox 4-2-3-1 formation will provide Stoke will a tougher test as City seek to build on their four-goal demolition at Craven Cottage.

In-form captain Shawcross is confident his team-mates can continue their good run. Continuously overlooked by Fabio Capello, the 23-year-old is focused only on helping Stoke City earn another three valuable points this weekend: “People will expect them to come here and win the game. But we are on a fantastic run ourselves and playing very well.

We look dangerous in attack and have managed to stay solid at the back. We have the belief we can win this game,” he added.

Three visits to the Britannia in the past two seasons have yielded nothing more than a solitary point in the Premier League and an FA Cup exit for big spending City who will be aware of the hostile reception they will receive in the Potteries. Shawcross has called on Stoke’s vociferous fans to match the noise that helped them secure a famous win over Liverpool in their last home game: “Our fans rocked the place against Liverpool. Hopefully they will be equally as loud as it makes it such an intimidating place for the opposition.”

Tony Pulis has one major injury scare ahead of the clash after Jermaine Pennant limped off after just 10 minutes at the Hawthorns last Saturday. Scans reveal the injury is not as bad as first thought but he remains a doubt for the game. Pulis could opt to go narrower in midfield by playing Rory Delap slightly wider and bringing in another central midfielder, but it is more likely that either Tuncay or last weekend’s two goal hero Jon Walters will get the nod. Andy Wilkinson could also miss out due to a sore knee.

For the visitors, defender Pablo Zabaleta serves a one-match suspension for accumulating five bookings this season while forward Mario Balotelli returns after a ban, and Gareth Barry and Jerome Boateng are both hoping to overcome ankle complaints.