NERVOUS managers beware, for Stoke City are the team with the Medusa Touch.

Paul Ince might have guessed what was coming this week as he headed towards tomorrow's showdown with Stoke.

Recent history shows that the bullet was almost inevitable – before or after the Stoke fixture – because of City's unwitting tendency to coincide with managerial changes.

Since the end of September last year, a fixture against Stoke has frequently collided with a recent or impending change of manager.

And Sam Allardyce already knows the feeling after his final game as Newcastle boss was against you-know-who in the FA Cup last year.

Dates of games involving Stoke...

Sept 30, 2007: Gary Megson's first home game as Leicester manager.

Oct 23, 2007: Neil Warnock's first home game as Crystal Palace manager.

Nov 24, 2007: Owen Coyle's first game as Burnley manager.

Jan 5, 2008: Sam Allardyce's last game as Newcastle manager.

Jan 16, 2008: Kevin Keegan unveiled as new Newcastle manager.

May 4, 2008: Ian Holloway's last game as Leicester manager.

Oct 18, 2008: Juande Ramos's last league game as Spurs manager.

Dec 20, 2008: Blackburn's first game since Paul Ince sacked and Allardyce appointed.

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