Stoke manager Tony Pulis has urged his players to fire up the
supporters ahead of two more big clashes against Manchester City.
The Potters face the Eastlands outfit for the second time in
three days on Tuesday night after fighting out a 1-1 draw in the FA
Cup fifth round on Saturday.
And with the Premier League encounter at the Britannia
Stadium to be followed by the cup replay next week, the two sides
will become familiar foes.
Stoke fans have become renowned for their highly-vocal
backing and Pulis wants them at their loudest to help see off
Roberto Mancini's men twice.
Pulis told the club's website: "We need our support now. The
support of the team now is vital for us.
"We have got to make sure they are really up for it. It is
going to be two very tough games."
Stoke also have games against Portsmouth, Arsenal, Fulham,
Burnley and Aston Villa in the next month and Pulis views the weeks
ahead as crucial to his side's season.
The Potters are 12th in the table, just seven points above
the relegation zone but with two games in hand on many sides that
could take them into the top half.
Team spirit has been strong at the Britannia Stadium since
promotion in 2008 and Pulis believes that will pull his men through
their busy run of fixtures.
He said: "We wanted to win it (on Saturday). We were on our
front foot and we were a little bit unlucky.
"But it was a great result for us. We would have loved to
have done it in one, it would have eased the pressure.
"We have now got another extraordinary, busy month in front
of us and we will have to work very hard on the players'
recoveries.
"But they don't give up, they are a great group of players
who work very hard.
"You get astounded at times at the effort and commitment they
put in.
"Every time the players come off the pitch you know they have
given it 100%.
"We need another four or five wins in the Premier League and
we need to be lucky in the cup."
Stoke will be without Matthew Etherington after the key
midfielder suffered a knee injury last weekend.
Etherington has been for a scan to assess the damage and the
results are expected on Tuesday, although the club are hopeful
there will be no lengthy lay-off.
Andy Wilkinson and Liam Lawrence are expected to overcome
knocks, Dean Whitehead will return in midfield and Abdoulaye Faye
could also feature.
