Stoke vs West Brom: So much at stake in genuine six-pointer
Meetings between these Midland rivals have risen in stature over the past two seasons, but it’s hard to remember one with more riding on it.
This has been Albion’s de facto derby since their more traditional rivals have been relegated, and they have had added spice thanks to the clubs sharing players and managers.
But even when Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes were engaged in their public war of words, victory was not as crucial for both teams as it is tomorrow.
Hughes is on the brink at Stoke, and Albion have seemingly forgotten how to win.
Two teams woefully out of form will meet at the Bet365 Stadium this weekend, and Pardew admitted he was expecting a scrappy game.
“Of course, because it is a game both clubs want to win going into Christmas,” he said. “We want to do it for the fans.
“The fans have been terrific in making noise and we haven’t rewarded them.
“We have been close but need to get over the line. Stoke in their position will also be very determined. If we win we go out of the relegation zone with West Ham playing Newcastle. It is a great incentive for us.”
Albion have the second-worst scoring record in the league this season behind Swansea but nobody has shipped more goals than Stoke’s leaky defence.
On Saturday, something’s got to give, and Pardew is hoping the creative potential he’s only seen in flashes so far will click for a full 90 minutes.
“There are periods in games where when I am getting the team to do what I would like and periods where it goes slightly astray,” he said. “We have scored only 13 goals and halfway through the season that is not good enough to stay in the division.
“We have to change our philosophy a little bit, our mentality, and get that win to break the sequence and build confidence.”
He could be helped in that department by some players coming back from injury.
However, it is defender Craig Dawson who is most likely to start out of the returning trio. Nacer Chadli and Matt Phillips will probably make the bench.
“The top of the pitch is where it is dysfunctional a little bit,” admitted Pardew. “We have to find that better balance.
“We have to complete a game where we get two or three goals which normally guarantees a win, otherwise we will always be under pressure.
“In terms of players we have available, I think they (Phillips and Chadli) will be taken. I feel for the team a little bit that some big creative forces haven’t been available. It will be nice to see them back.
“I don’t want to call them an honest great group of players.
“That’s been said too often. There is more quality in that dressing-room and I need to get it onto the pitch.”
