It feels like I am writing a preview to the start of a mini season. It is almost three weeks since City’s last competitive fixture, and prior to the break, Liam Rosenior’s men dropped out the play-off places after a quartet of draws.

Due to a relatively small goal difference for a team chasing a top six place the Tigers could now be classed as outsiders for a position in the post season.

If you wanted a truly dour and upsetting prediction from someone who has looked at too many form and statistics sheets, then after my research I could give a thought of no hope. Three of our final fixtures are against the top three form teams (Leeds, Ipswich & Cardiff), two of which are both in the to three as well. Middlesbrough on away performances alone would be a top six team (so would City). QPR are making a remarkable escape from the relegation zone despite some abysmal performances this year. Coventry are on a fantastic cup run which might galvanise the remainder of their season. Plymouth have been good at home. Just leaving Stoke at home and 13th placed Watford away. Oh, and Watford came to the MKM and won at the start of December.
Despite all the above, I am still cautiously optimistic. So optimistic that I am actually in Crete for the play-off final. I have not backed myself up very well.

Recent results have shown the best (Southampton away, first half) and the worst (Birmingham home, second half) of Rosenior’s schemes and tactics. This can all be forgotten as the aforementioned break will see many players fresher for a packed six weeks of football. The squad depth will be vitally important, including the soon to be returning Liam Delap. A trip to Turkey and an opportunity to work with some of the newish transfers from January can only be beneficial. I hope that Rosenior knows his best XI because I have no idea based on performances in previous fixtures.

Stoke are in a position of uncertainty just two points ahead of the drop zone. Two wins from four will be encouraging to manager, Steven Schumacher. The last time the two sides met, the Tigers were victorious for the first time against Stoke in six games. Stoke were struggling under the leadership of Alex Neil at the time.

Expected(?) XI: Allsop; Coyle, A.Jones, Greaves, Giles; Seri, Morton; Philogene, Carvalho, Turfan, Zaroury.
Score: City 3-1 Stoke