Stoke face another tough game tonight as they travel to take on Mick McCarthy's Cardiff City (7pm KO).
Stoke travel on the back of an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Boro on Saturday as they look to turn the tide of a run of four successive away defeats although they couldn't have picked a harder game to try and do it in.
Since Mick McCarthy's arrival at The Cardiff City Stadium, he has overseen 12 games in which they've won 7, drew 4 and lost just 1 which is a huge feat for the former Ireland gaffer which only cements the size of the challenge facing The Potters tonight.
After Saturday's disappointing defeat to Middlesbrough, Michael O Neill had this to say:
"They have to rally themselves. That’s the bottom line. If they can’t rally themselves then we’ve got the wrong players in the building. It’s as simple as that. We’ll expect to see a reaction. It was a very quiet dressing room after the game and we have to make sure we’re ready for a very tough game at Cardiff, who have got themselves into a good position and are on a great run under Mick."
Undoubtedly, The gaffer acknowledges the good run of Cardiff City but you'd be remiss to think that Michael O Neill will aim to do anything else other than shut up shop after Saturday's disappointing defeat against Boro.
Team News:
Cardiff welcome back former Crewe captain Perry Ng but remain without Jordi Osei-Tutu. Meanwhile, Lee Tomlin too is struggling for full fitness after working his way back from a groin injury, while Joel Bagan is out with a dislocated shoulder.
Stoke on the other hand seem to have no fresh injury concerns but continue to have two long term injury concerns as Nathan Collins remains on the treatment table after suffering a fracture in his foot, whilst Tyrese Campbell is still yet to return from a knee ligament injury picked up in December.
Former Bluebird Rabbi Matondo could well be in line to face his old club for the first time since his loan move from Schalke.
Quick Match Facts:
Cardiff are looking to record their first league double over Stoke since the 2005-06 season.
Stoke are looking for their first away league win at Cardiff since August 2007, a 1-0 win at Ninian Park.
Cardiff’s late defeat v Watford at the weekend ended their 11-game unbeaten run in the Championship (W7 D4) – the Bluebirds haven’t lost back-to-back games since Neil Harris’ final five games in charge of the club.
Stoke have lost four of their last five league games (W1), as many as in their previous 18 in the Championship (W5 D9).
This will be Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy’s 19th league game against Stoke City – he has won six, drawn six and lost six of his 18 matches to date.
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