In opening 14 rounds and noticed 9 (from possible 42) points, Pilgrims haven’t shown anything that could keep them in the Championship. After seven consecutive defeats, team won twice (Peterborough and Scunthorpe), then again bad run with just one point in three games (bottom side, Keano’s Ipswich 1-1) and in my opinion it’s fair to say Plymouth simply don’t possess enough quality to resist against any decent club in Championship. Here are some facts about their previous effort. They are the only side not to have kept a single clean sheet this season, have picked up one point from their eight matches against top-half clubs and have conceded nine goals in the last 15 minutes of matches this season - more than any other club. Really can’t see any sign of potential improving. At
Difference in quality is obvious, home ground and new manager who will make his debut on the bench will also be the big advantages. My opinion is only miracle could save
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I'll be on the road for the weekend. Maybe one more analyze for Sunday (Cardiff), maybe not. Cheers lads.
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Portsmouth 4 - 0 Stoke 
While in Premier League Stoke play over their real capabilities, Cup competition are usually using for the resting the key players. In the previous round, they passed Championship side Blackpool 4-3 (big come back after 1-3) and in round before only managed to sneak past Orient after extra time. Also, record in the league cup is more than poor. They were knocked out by Derby last year. Rochdale the year before. Darlington the year before that, and Mansfield the previous year. League Cup definitely don’t seem as their priority. For tonight’s game, Toni Pulis, announced that he intends to rest some (no less than nine) players and even in some interview warned Stoke fans who travel to Portsmouth not to expect anything near a full strength team out tonight.
Everton have been facing a lots of problems in recent campaign. Three wins in starting nine rounds is not something that their fans had on the mind in August. Main reason for that is long injury list. Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Steven Pienaar and Mikel Arteta, four keys are long time injured. Aiyegbeni Yakubu, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Joseph Yobo, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman are unfit and under the question mark for tonight’s encounter. Nine players. Also, playing in Europe doesn’t help. In the midweek, Everton crashed in Portugal (Benfica 0-5), three days later lost on the road vs. Bolton 2-3. For the weekend will host Aston Villa, then again Europe, Premiership… Even with a full squad this schedule would demand more than a decent effort. And looking on the future games, I see this one as the easiest to be “sacrificed”. Moyes, as Redknapp will change the cards and give the chance to some youngsters (like in Portugal). Louis Saha is in decent shape and he should be the biggest threat to Spurs. Players take any moment to speak about their fighting spirit, but I see them as clear underdogs here. Except their semi-final appearance in 2007., they only once reached the last eight in 21 attempts.
Sheff Utd 3 - 4 Cardiff 
Tottenham 0 - 1 Stoke
Stoke have been noticing their dream start of the recent campaign. And while their tough performance at Britannia Stadium were expected, their recent good run on the road with three undefeated encounters (all three draws, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and Everton) looks a little bit surprising. They play tactically almost perfect with strong defense displays (Huth, Shawcross, Collins and Faye back), waiting a chance from some set piece or counter attack. However, those chances haven’t come too often, Potters have some problems to score on the road and they also don’t have an away win so far. Considering statistics as well, they’ll have to wait more for it, as Stoke have only beaten Tottenham once in 29 attempts at White Hart Lane - a 2-0 win in 1975. They’ll have a chance to take something from this match as far as they manage to keep the clean sheet. Missing of key defender, Robert Huth, who has been banned for three matches for punching West Ham defender Matthew Upson, surely won’t help. Irish Glenn Whelan should return, but fellow midfielder Liam Lawrence is doubtful after missing training with a virus.
The Blue Birds hold the third place on the table with just a point less than league leaders WBA. After the good start of the season, club fell in injury crisis and noticed five competitive defeats in six games! When injury list started to decrease, results became brighter. Cardiff have three wins (Derby 6-1, Watford 4-0 and Coventry 2-0) and a draw (Crystal Palace 1-1) in last four games. But, the most important thing is manager Dave Jones should have a strong squad to choose from, with a lot of his players now available again. His “key of the keys” Ross McCormack is fully fit and ready, defender Kevin McNaughton, midfielder Mark Kennedy and striker Warren Feeney are also available. Only missing player is midfielder Kelvin Etuhu who could be fit and back in training after the next international break. Excellent striker Michael Chopra is the leading scorer in the division with 11 goals, and United face another goal threat in midfielder Pete Whittingham, who has scored six times in the Welsh side's last five matches. Win at Bramall Lane would boost team confidence and maybe launch them on the top. 
Middlesbrough started the season in Championship with clear intention for returning in the Premier League. And all started well as club was placed at the top of the table. Then crisis at Riverside and three consecutive home defeats without a single goal scored (WBA 0-5, Leicester City 0-1 and Watford 0-1). 'Boro bounced back at mid-week against Derby County as midfielder Adam Johnson scored twice for a 2-0 win. Then public was hit by the news that Gareth Southgate has been sacked. Well, it’s not about his capability to lead one team on 'Boro’s level, I first claimed he should chose more appropriate profession. The problem is the moment that seems wrong. Team finally won at home, players were pointing the team spirit, fans promising full support and I expect at least missing of positive reaction at Deepdale. Future boss (will be appointed in coming days), Gordon Strachan, will watch the game, but I doubt he’ll see too many good things. Team that will be led by coach Colin Cooper will miss mentioned defender Sean St Ledger, another centre back Seb Hines is a doubt, while skipper defender Emanuel Pogatetz could return after his knee injury. 
Bristol City 3 - 1 Plymouth
Blades came in the recent season as one of the main contenders for promotion. Squad that wasn’t changed too much during the transfer market possesses enough quality to fight against the best clubs in the second tier. But, problems came very soon. Currently, United are without a win in four games and have lost their last three away matches. Also, the fact they conceded eight goals in those three games (Coventry City 2-3, Swansea City 1-2, Scunthorpe United 1-3) sounds incredible when we talk about last season best defense line in Championship. Problem started, as usual, when one of the central defensive duo Morgan- Kilgallon is missing. First Chris Morgan got an injury. Recovered, but then Matthew Kilgallon fell in the “contract negotiation crisis”. Recently, he requested a transfer. Meanwhile, injury list has been growing. Manager Kevin Blackwell (his position is very insecure these days, btw.) couldn’t count on 10 first-team players for Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe - and could only name six substitutes on the bench! New name on the list is defender Andrew Davies, while team morale is needless to say very low. Kevin Blackwell will probably set his last season favorite 4-5-1 formation and expectations are tight game is in front, with small number of goals.
After the run of 7 (seven) consecutive defeats, Plymouth noticed two victories, over the fellows from the bottom - Peterborough United (2-1 at home) and against “you’ll never know what to expect from us” - Scunthorpe United (2-1 on the road). Another defeat (at Blackpool, 0-2) turned them back into relegation zone. After the game, boss Paul Sturrock stated the main reason for defeat is 11 hours spent in the bus! Hm…,ok. The problem is squad didn’t return to Devon after the game and spent two days at Stoke-on-Trent (half of the distance). So, players won’t be much more rested than at Saturday. Sturrock announced intention to fresh the squad with new players (what players?!) but the question is are the lads from the bench capable to improve the team’s shape and help to resist at one hell’s place, as Ashton Gate surely is. Club’s officials have insisted that Paul Sturrock's job as manager is safe (those statements usually means opposite) despite the arrival of former Argyle and England striker Paul Mariner as head coach. And Blackpool defeat didn’t help. However, lack of quality, tired players, bad dressing room atmosphere and manager who lost control should be the main reasons (in that order) why I (guess nobody) don’t expect them to take anything from this encounter. Except mentioned freshening the squad, no other injury concerns for Sturrock.
