Filed under: Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Stoke City, West Ham, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: BRITANNIA STADIUM, TUESDAY DECEMBER 28, 2010. KICK-OFF: 1500 GMTFulham manager Mark Hughes is already accustomed to the unwelcome glare of speculation on his job prospects after a rollercoaster spell at Manchester City.
But he can hardly have expected such an unforgiving experience in the humble environs of West London with Fulham, with their latest setback ensuring this trip to the Potteries has taken on 'must-win proportions'.
Fulham's insipid performance against West Ham, and a humbling 3-1 defeat, has increased the pressure on Hughes and the usually patient supporters have already made their feelings known. The Boxing Day defeat leaves the Cottagers in the bottom three and Hughes under no illusions about the job ahead.
Hughes is without an away win all season and has already lost at the Britannia Stadium in a bad-tempered Carling Cup encounter.
Stoke could not be in better spirits after impressively dismantling Blackburn. They are also desperate to atone for their last nightmare outing on their own turf, when Blackpool completed a smash and grab.
Danny Murphy's now infamous comments about Stoke's abrasive style of play should also guarantee Tony Pulis's pre-match team talk is already taken care of.
Key Match-Up: Dean Whitehead v Danny Murphy. Whitehead was one of the only Stoke players to poke his head above the parapet and express his disappointment at Murphy's recent comments, so this should be a spicy individual duel. The Fulham midfielder needs to ensure his actions speak louder than words as he attempts to keep his manager in a job.
Form Guide: Stoke have won three successive away games but are still haunted by their dire display against Blackpool in the last home match. Fulham have not won in eight successive games and their defeat to West Ham sent them spinning into the bottom three for the first time this season.
Odds: Stoke 10/11, Fulham 7/2, Draw 9/4
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/12/27/stoke-v-fulham-preview-danny-murphy-must-prepare-for-britannia/
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