Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Stoke City
Cardiff City welcome Stoke City to Cardiff City Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon, 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Stoke City’s manager is Steven Schumacher, who was appointed in December 2023.
Having started his playing career at Everton, the midfielder went on to make over 100 league appearances for Bradford City and Bury, whilst also representing the likes of Crewe Alexandra and Fleetwood Town.
After his retirement, he had spells coaching at Everton and Bury and also spent time as interim manager of Southport, prior to his appointment as assistant boss at Plymouth Argyle.
Moving to Home Park in June 2019 with Ryan Lowe, the duo led the club to promotion to League One.
After Lowe’s switch to Preston North End, Schumacher was quickly announced as the Pilgrims’ new manager.
His time at the club was successful, guiding them to the League One title in his second season as manager, with a remarkable tally of 101 points.
Since taking over the Potters, the side have won just three out of 12 games, whilst succumbing to six defeats.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
It’s been a disappointing campaign for Stoke City so far, currently sitting 19th in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Their last six fixtures have resulted in three points, with one win and five defeats, leaving them 22nd in the form table.
Last time out, Schumacher’s side welcomed Coventry City to the Bet365 Stadium and fell to a 1-0 defeat.
On their travels this season, the Potters have won four out of 16 matches, recording 16 points.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
One of Stoke City’s most important players is midfielder Lewis Baker, who boasts a wealth of experience.
Coming through the ranks at Chelsea, the 28-year-old had eight different loan spells whilst with the Blues, before signing permanently for the Potters in 2022.
Since then, Baker has amassed 75 league appearances, contributing with 16 goals.
After missing the start of the season through a knee injury, the midfielder has been a regular in the side, most recently netting in a 1-0 win over Rotherham United in January.
CLUB CONNECTION | PETER THORNE
During a productive career that ran over 19 years, striker Peter Thorne represented both the Bluebirds and the Potters.
Thorne joined Stoke City in July 1997 for a reported fee of £500,000, going on to score double figure tallies in all four of his full seasons at the club.
One of the highlights of his time with the Potters was the 2000 Football League Trophy Final, in which he scored the winning goal against Bristol City in the 82nd minute.
The attacker became a Bluebird in September 2001, forming a formidable partnership with Robert Earnshaw.
Despite being restricted by injury in his first season at the club, the following campaign saw him and Earnshaw score a remarkable total of 52 goals between them on the way to City’s promotion.
Going on to depart for Norwich City in 2005, Thorne ended with a tally of 46 league goals in 126 appearances.