Stoke Looking at QPR: Want More Tickets

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Stoke Official Site - QPR Tickets Sold Out

Tickets for next weekend's crucial end of season clash at QPR are now sold out. The ticket office is in talks with QPR to see if they will raise the numbers of tickets available for City supporters.

Following the Potters' fantastic performance against Colchester, the ticket office was inundated with fans desperate to secure a ticket for next weekend's game in London.

It means that Stoke supporters are in for a treat with one of the most exciting ends to a season in recent years. Stoke

Stoke Sentinel "Up for It" - 30 April 2007

That's the scenario confronting Stoke as they approach D-day one place outside the top six - simply because the Saints have scored more goals.

Victory over QPR - and by a margin greater than any Southampton win over Southend - is Stoke's easiest route to a top-six finish because anything less leaves them having to rely on others slipping up.

But a variety of other possibilities remain in the melting pot with five realistic contenders - Stoke, Southampton, Preston, Wolves and West Brom - fighting for the three play-off spots still up for grabs.

The Baggies lead the mini-table of clubs aiming to join Derby in the play-offs, but just two points separate them from Preston in seventh, so any final day slip-ups could prove very costly.

"It could go to the last few seconds next week," admits goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, "because we all know how much it can change.

"We go down there trying to win, as we always do, but also hoping we win by one more goal than Southampton.

"I'd like to know what's happening to other teams on the day and, if it does go right to the last few minutes, I'm sure there will be messages coming in.

"The Colchester game was billed as a six-pointer," he added, "and we're delighted to get the three points.

"I earn my money from time-to-time and I'm just pleased that when I was called upon I made the saves we needed."

Stoke have sold out their 2,800 allocation at Loftus Road next Sunday (1pm kick-off), but are asking Rangers for 200 additional tickets with restricted views.

"This win sets it up lovely for QPR next week," said manager Tony Pulis, "and we want to see red and white everywhere down there if we can.

"I took the team to London to play Arsenal a couple of years ago and I remember turning the corner into Highbury and seeing thousands of Stoke fans there.

"We put on a great performance that day because of the connection between the fans and the players - that's what we want again. We need to win. Anything else won't take us there.

"We struggled to get going against Colchester, but in the second half our midfield and wingers were getting into much better positions."

Andy Griffin remains under scrutiny after postponing groin surgery to play his part in Stoke's make-or-break end to the season. This is Stafford