Sam Allardyce has received the second message about tomorrow’s opponent Stoke City in FA Cup third round at Britannia Stadium. Lee Clark warns Big Sam to watch out for Potters aerial attack, as his Norwich side suffered defeats from their last 10 matches against them.
Newcastle boss also have the same message from Glenn Roeder when both managers attanding the Cup draws. Glenn said that Magpies have to pay more attantion to their diagonal ball from both wings, as they are will try everything to get as many crossings as they can into United’s penalty area.
“Stoke have a team of six-footers and they will do all they can to hoist the ball into the Newcastle penalty area at every opportunity.” Clark told the Chronicle today, “They will want to win as many corner kicks and free kicks as they can get, and the throw-in that Rory Delap puts in is low and flat, like Exorcet missiles, although I hear he is not certain to play because of a leg injury.”
“But if Newcastle can handle all this they should have more than enough to win the game. But if they try to play Stoke at their own game, they could be in trouble.” He added more, “What they have to do is get the ball down and pass it around and if they can do that they should be OK.”
That means Lee Clark is hoping that for tomorrow Cup tie, Allardyce will play dirrent football than what United’s have been playing recently. Big Sam should bring more passing style for Newcastle and uses the lads skill advantage against the Championships side.
Clark has a good Cup memory in the United side when he last played against Stoke City in a competitive game when Kevin Keegan’s side handed out a 4-0 drubbing at the old Victoria Ground in October 1995 Carling Cup. He is hoping Sam Allardyce would give for a repeat, especially with a performance that wins the Magpies that year.
Meanwhile, Stoke boss Tony Pulis said it is futile to single out any one member of Newcastle’s squad in Sunday’s FA Cup meeting between the sides, he is clearly aware of the quality in the ranks from St James’ Park.
“We are under no illusion about the task ahead,” said Pulis, as quoted from Sportinglife, “I am expecting Owen to be there from the first whistle and you can imagine he’ll be raring to make up for lost time after his latest setback.”
Newcastle v Stoke FA Cup tie will be live on BBC tomorrow. Kick-off starts from 6PM. If you still want to get a piece of the match ticket, you can get one HERE.