Source: Northern_Echo
Richardson’s early warning of an aerial bombardment
KIERAN Richardson has warned his Sunderland teammates to prepare for one of the hardest games of the season[LNB] at Stoke City this afternoon.[LNB] The Black Cats have never won a Premier League game at the Britannia Stadium, with their last victory at the ground coming in the Championship in November 2004.[LNB] Their last two visits have ended in 1-0 defeats, with last season's reverse coming courtesy of a Dave Kitson strike shortly before half-time.[LNB] Richardson played the opening hour of that game, and the England international is expecting another stiff test in today's televised lunch-time encounter.[LNB] It's always one of the hardest games of the season,[LNB] said the Sunderland midfielder.[LNB] Every time we go there, we find it very difficult.[LNB] I don't think it's the type of place you ever go and get an easy game. They don't really play football the way everyone expects the game to be played. That's not their style, but they're good at what they do and they stick to it because it works.[LNB] Stoke's playing style has remained resolutely unchanged ever since they won promotion to the Premier League in 2008.[LNB] Sunderland's players will face an aerial bombardment, with former Black Cat Kenwyne Jones expected to return to the starting line-up in preference to recent signing John Carew, who started Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.[LNB] Another ex-Sunderland player, Rory Delap, will attempt to cause havoc with his infamous long throw-ins, while fellow Wearsider Dean Whitehead should relish a competitive battle at the heart of midfield.[LNB] I don't blame them for playing the way they do because they make it exceptionally hard for anyone to play against, said Richardson.[LNB] We'll have to go there with our tin hats on and be prepared for whatever they throw at us.[LNB] We'll have to match them physically, but I'm confident we have the players to do that. We're more than capable of handling ourselves in a physical game and we're more than capable of coming away with all three points.[LNB] Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller came close to joining Sunderland during the transfer window, with Black Cats boss Steve Bruce having discussed a possible move for the striker, only to be put off by the Potters' £5m price tag.[LNB] Fuller will not be involved today, however, as he has been given compassionate leave to attend his uncle's funeral in Jamaica.[LNB] It's a blow to lose Ric,[LNB] said Stoke boss Tony Pulis.[LNB] But the family should always comes first in these situations and I am sure everyone understands that he needs to be there.[LNB] One or two things haven't worked out as we had hoped this week but you have to get on with it.[LNB] We have got a hell of a lot to play for over the next few weeks.[LNB] We have to recognise where we are. If we work hard and stay together, we could have the best season the club has had at this level for a long, long time.[LNB]
