Stoke City manager Alex Neil wants his side to build momentum on their own turf when Watford visit the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

The Potters delivered strong performances in ST4 in the opening week of the campaign as an energetic showing saw City defeat Rotherham United 4-1 on the opening day before Neil's new-look side edged West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup.

“It is another good home game for us and our home form so far has been good - we want to try and continue that,” Neil explained in his pre-match briefing.

“Watford are a good side but we want to make our place a cauldron and continue our season well at home, like we have started.

“It is important we get on the front foot and we try to put our game onto them and dictate proceedings.

“It is not going to be easy, we are playing against some really good players and a well set up team.”

The Hornets arrive at the bet365 Stadium for their first away fixture of the Championship campaign after a 4-0 home success against QPR on the opening day was followed up by a goalless draw against Plymouth Argyle at Vicarage Road.

The Potters’ boss has been impressed by what he has seen from Valérien Ismaël’s side in the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign.

“They have a really strong squad and in the first two games that I have watched them, they have been as good as I have seen them in a number of years,” he continued.

“They look really bright, good in possession and out of possession and I expect a really difficult game.”

Saturday's match falls just under two weeks from the conclusion of the summer transfer window, during which City have recruited eleven players to date, and Neil expects more new faces to arrive before Friday, September 1.

“The last two weeks are always the most intense and difficult because I have a lot of work to do with the players on the pitch in terms of getting them ready [for matches],” Neil explained when asked about ongoing recruitment.

“Equally, though, this last two weeks are going to be important transfer-wise to make sure that come the end of the window, the squad is in as healthy and strong a position as it can be.”

Neil also confirmed during his pre-match interview that City have been boosted by the news that forward Tyrese Campbell is edging closer to a return to action following injury, though Saturday’s game will come too soon for the 23-year-old to feature.

Neil: We want to get on the front foot and continue good home form