No repeat for Stoke

17 September 2009 14:13
Stoke will be out to erase the memory of their dismal Premier League debut when they step out at Bolton on Saturday.[LNB]Tony Pulis' team suffered a 3-1 beating at the Reebok Stadium on the opening day of last season, conceding all three goals in a nightmare spell before half-time.[LNB]Pulis admits his players will have to play "at full tilt" this time around to ensure lightning does not strike twice, although his side have improved considerably since then.[LNB]He said: "We got stuffed up there last year. We actually did okay for the majority of the game, but shipping three goals in 11 minutes killed us. We have learned a lot since then and are a better side now, but I also think Bolton have got stronger as well.[LNB]"The stats show they have scored more goals than anyone off set plays and that shouldn't come as a surprise. It's going to be a really, really tough game.[LNB]"They are a very big team with the likes of (Kevin) Davies, (Gary) Cahill, (Zat) Knight, (Tamir) Cohen, (Gretar) Steinsson and (Fabrice) Muamba. There isn't half some aerial power there. It will be a back to front game and there will be a lot of challenges in the air, so we will have to be on our mettle and stand up to be counted."

Source: Eurosport