TONY PULIS has urged Stoke City supporters to recreate the “phenomenal atmosphere” of last season’s meeting with Manchester City when the reigning champions return to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Pulis is hoping his side will be roared on by a capacity crowd, with some tickets still available to be snapped up for the game.
City’s manager acknowledges that the home fans will be need to raise the decibels once again for one of the biggest home matches of the season against Roberto Mancini’s side in the Barclays Premier League encounter.
“We need our fans to be at their loudest,” he admitted ahead of the game. “I am sure they will be up for this one and that will be crucial.
“If the atmosphere is half as good as it was for the game here in March, then that would be great. Our support that day was phenomenal.
“After Crouchy’s goal, the crowd doing what they did was one of the great highlights of all the matches here at the Britannia.”
Pulis is confident that City fans will relish the prospect of seeing some of their new signings in action against the champions with recent arrivals Charlie Adam, Steven N’Zonzi and Michael Owen among those likely to feature in the game.
“There will be added excitement because of the players we’ve brought in and those who have been signed by Manchester City,” he said.
“Whether the they start or not, we’ll have to wait and see. But I am sure that it will be a great atmosphere for a big, big game.
“It’s going to be incredibly tough, but you have to give us some credit and say how well we’ve done. We’ll have to do that again on Saturday.
“Against the top teams, you can’t play open, expansive football because they’ll murder you. You’ve got to make it as tight as you can.”
*Tickets are on general sale with availability in the Q-railing lower tier and the Family Area in particular for Saturday’s encounter with the Blues.
The game is Category A* in the matchday ticket prices.
Those who wish to book match tickets can do so online at scfcdirect.com or by telephoning the Ticket Office hotline on 01782 367599.
Alternatively, tickets for the game on Saturday 15th September can be purchased in person at the Britannia Stadium Ticket Office or the Club Stores in the Potteries Shopping Centre and the Roebuck Centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme.