Its hard to know what to make of Stoke City to this point.Are they the club that went winless through their opening seven Premier League fixtures and spent a considerable amount of time at the foot of the table? Or the one that recently enjoyed a six-match unbeaten stretch over all competitions?Its uncertain which team will show up Saturday against Burnley at bet365 Stadium.Stoke (4-4-5) have largely been seen as one of the most unflashy clubs in the Premier League, known for their direct style of play with bruising target forwards like Peter Crouch. Manager Mark Hughes has done an admirable job over the past few seasons in an effort to bring some style to the pitch by signing highly-skilled players like Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Wilfried Bony, Bojan Krkic and Mame Diouf.With that level of talent in the squad, its hard to fathom the idea that the Potters have struggled in the final third, but the numbers dont lie. They have scored just 14 goals in 13 matches while allowing 19.However, Stoke head into this clash with some confidence after last weeks 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road. A 29th-minute own goal by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes stood up.We played well considering we had a few key players out, but the guys who came in were brilliant and have certainly given the manager a headache for the next game, midfielder Charlie Adam told the clubs official website.Burnley (4-5-2), meanwhile, have put in some good performances and done well enough to avoid the relegation zone to this point while sitting in 13th place.Each of their wins have come at Turf Moor, however. Sean Dyches squad is also hoping to get back to get back on track after consecutive defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City.After being completely dismantled by West Brom, Burnley responded nicely against City, taking the lead through a 14th-minute goal from Dean Marney before Sergio Aguero hit for a brace in the 2-1 defeat.Despite the loss, Dyche liked his clubs resolve.I was really pleased with the performance, other than the result, and that was a great marker, he said. We know we have to take that on the road, but today I was delighted and equally so with the crowds reaction.They know its not easy playing this type of club, but they stuck with the lads throughout with no disappointments. They were right behind us and thats an important factor going forwards.Since beating Burnley 2-0 in their first ever Premier League meeting in 2009, Stoke are winless in the last three (two draws, one loss).The Clarets have won just one of their last seven league games against Stoke City, though this was away at Stoke in November 2014.China Shoes Wholesale . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. 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The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in Columbus after signing with the Indians in August.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Its been the Olympic Games where British history has been made in so many sports, on so many levels.?Now Team GBs womens hockey team has joined the party.Putting their bodies on the line for a 3-0 win over New Zealand in the unforgiving Brazilian humidity, Britains women reached their first ever Olympic final.There will be no let up as they chase what would be the most incredible of gold medals on Friday against the Netherlands and the brilliant Alex Dansons message was equal in focus: We wont change a thing.They are now unbeaten in seven matches here and brimming with confidence but there will be bruised bodies on Thursday.Faces were on the wrong end of sticks, chins were battered -- Georgie Twiggs injury was dismissed by her as taking one for the team afterwards with her inflamed lip testament to safety being placed second behind the overall effort.It was this unwavering focus, this resilience that saw them shut out the misfiring Black Sticks to book a final with back-to-back Olympic champions the Netherlands.From goalkeeper Maddie Hinch to the talismanic Danson -- who scored twice -- to the rangy, dangerous Twigg to the steady Kate Richardson-Walsh, the performances were heroic.Forced to defend for the middle section of the game with New Zealand hammering away at their goal, Britains defence was astonishing -- though they were let off the hook when New Zealands Petrea Webster fired wide having had far more time to weigh up her options with just Hinch to beat.I am so proud of this team but defensively we have been absolutely outstanding at this tournament and I mean that as a whole unit, Danson said. We are tight: no one can come through us. I dont think I have ever seen a team defend like that in our circle.And from this platform they forced the 1-0 lead in the first period through Dansons deflected shot before closing it out in the final quuarter thanks to penalty strokes from Helen Richardson-Walsh and the brilliant Danson.ddddddddddddIt all came down to processes. Though reaching the final is uncharted water for Britain, they knew what to do in every phase of the game -- how to shut out the dangerous Kiwi attackers and how to capitalise on attacking territory when opportunity allowed.But celebrations will be kept to a minimum.?We are going for gold, nothing else, said Twigg. External influences and voices are completely blocked out, to the extent the team have a self-imposed social media ban.We decided as a squad that we want people to see us for what we are and thats tight and as a unit, Danson said. We will share our stories once the Games are over but for now its about concentrating, being together and having no interest elsewhere and focusing just on what we are doing.And this is why, despite them already making a slice of British hockey history, they wont be carried away.As soon as we won there, it was a case of one more, one more, Hinch said. Were not going to rest on our laurels; were going to make sure we give absolutely everything to get that medal. I have a good feeling.It all boils down to what will be another physical 60 minutes against the Netherlands. They know their opponents well and will take confidence from a 1-0 series win over two matches in June. It will be a case of facing familiar foes in an unfamiliar environment on Friday, but you sense they are ready for anything the Netherlands throw at them.We are getting better and better every game and its so exciting over what we can pull out in the final on Friday, Hinch said. Its all about momentum for us and we are getting better and better. Hopefully we will pull out our best performance on Friday. ' ' '
