PETER REID today backed Stoke City to bounce back from their Stamford Bridge defeat as he prepared to face his former club on Saturday.
City's assistant manager, who won the League title and the European Cup Winners Cup in his days as a player with Everton, knows that David Moyes' in-form side will be a tough proposition in the Barclays Premier League game at the Britannia Stadium.
But Reid insists that the Potters will be determined to prove that last Sunday's defeat at Chelsea was a one-off in an otherwise excellent season.
"All you can say is that last weekend was a bad day at the office," he told stokecityfc.com. "What we must do is bounce back and make sure we send the supporters home happy after our final home match of the season.
"That won't be easy because David Moyes has assembled a fantastic squad and it will be hard because they are such a good team, but our lads are good professionals and they will be hurting so you will see a reaction."
He added: "I've got to say sometimes you catch Chelsea at their best and we did but let's not kid ourselves we weren't great and that's the best way I can put it. Saturday is a different day though and I'm certain we will show exactly what we can do."
Reid believes that current Everton boss Moyes is the man to bring back the glory days to Goodison Park, as long as he has a little bit of good fortune.
"He has been so unlucky with one thing or another," he added. "When you look at some of the players he's had out, it's frightening. Arteta, Jagielka, who's a fantastic player, and Saha have been missing plus you have got the likes of Yakubu and Cahill.
"All of these are top players but because of the strength in depth, they have managed to keep up with the pace and that's a testament to them.
"This is going to be one of our hardest games of the season, without a doubt, and that is testimony to the excellent job that David has done."
*To read a full exclusive interview with 'Reidy' make sure you purchase this weekend's action-packed matchday magazine which also includes exclusive interviews with Asmir Begovic, Louis Moult and former Potter and current Everton star Carlo Nash.
