November
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City though should have nothing to fear. They are in a fine run of form and both sides will be confident. Both are in similar form. Stoke have lost only once in the last 14 league games exactly the same as City. The one game both teams lost was an embarrassing defeat in Greater Manchester, City went down 0 - 3 at Bury while the following week Stoke capitualted and went down 1 - 6 to Wigan.

It wil be an emotional night, and I would imagine a very hostile night for Graham Kavanagh. The City skipper was the captain at Stoke until his near million pund transfer in the summer. While Graham is still very close to the Stoke players and club the fans will have a very different opinion of him. Graham says

"I imagine I'll get slaughtered by the Stoke fans during this game, simply because I've seen other players go back who had done well at the club and they were slaughtered. I'm not expecting anything different. It would be nice to get a good reception but I'm not worried about that.

If we win, I couldn't care how the Stoke fans behave towards me.

I can understand why they're not happy with me because of the way I left. I said I wanted to play in a higher division, then I joined Cardiff in the same division.

In the eyes of the Stoke fans Cardiff isn't a bigger club."

City's other former Stoke player, £1.7m Peter Thorne, is injured and will miss the return to Stoke.

The Bluebirds are expected to field the same XI that started aginst Blackpool on the weekend. The team produced a first class performance but only second class finishing as chance after chance went begging and the match ended 1 - 1. Stoke will be without Peter Hoekstra but have added loan goalkeeper Michael Ingham to the squad, he joins as cover for Neil Cutler. Gavid Ward ex City, is injured. Chris Iwelumo is the clubs current leading scorer.

There will be a lot of attention on tonights game. The corresponding fixture two seasons ago produced scores of arrests and newspapers printing CCTV pictures of wanted fans. The reputations of both clubs took a hammering and the game is being played tonight instead of Saturday as an attempt to curb possible trouble.

Stoke boss Gudjon Thordarson has urged the fans to behave, he says

"Feelings will be running high because of the importance of the game to both
clubs - but we don't want anything silly.

It's vital we all keep our heads and I want supporters to do what they do
best - get behind the team. We could be punished heavily if our fans are
involved in any trouble."

City are expected to take around 1,000 fans. Tickets have only been on sale to seasdon ticket holders. Stoke were reporting sales of over 12,500 ticket with still 24 hours to go before kick off.

It is the biggest match of the Division 2 season so far and there are so many scores to settle.

The internet battle has already been fierce with many, my teams bigger that your team, arguments going on.

Of course there's only one outcome I want to see and that a Bluebirds win.

The site will not be updated until very late tonight / early Thursday after another trek back down the M6 / M5.