Sam Allardyce has told his players to forget about Stoke City’s recent poor form and prepare for a massive test at the Britannia Stadium.
The Potters have won just one of their last seven conceding four goals in each of their last three, but they still sit tenth in the Barclays Premier League having enjoyed an impressive season overall.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are hoping to build on four points from their last two games, with a win over Norwich City and a draw at home to Arsenal lifting them out of the bottom three.
And speaking to safc.com Allardyce predicted a response from the wounded Potters.
“I’ve known Mark [Hughes] for many, many years through my work in the Premier League and he also played in my era, and he will not be a happy man believe you me.
“I think everybody can see that from the expression on his face sat on the bench last weekend, but they were three big, big teams the played against – Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City – and we don’t have anything like the size of squad and haven’t spent the size of money they have.”
He continued: “What we are is in good form at the moment and if play anything like we did at Norwich we will give them one hell of a game, but I would expect Mark will have Stoke really revved up and he will want to stop this very poor run of performances.
“It could spoil what has been an exceptional season for him because the fans are starting to ask what’s gone wrong and what’s happened, and on what they’ve achieved this year that would be a shame.
“But I do hope they’re as bad as they have been in the last three games!”
