The script could hardly be better ahead of tonight's crunch Coca-Cola Championship match at the Britannia Stadium.
Ipswich Town are top of the table - for the first time since August 1999 - after Sunday's 2-0 success against Millwall.
Stoke are just behind them in third spot, with 14 points compared to the Blues' 16.
Despite their flying start, the Potters will be out to prove a point when the sides do battle after their 3-0 defeat at Preston on Saturday.
It was a shocking result for Tony Pulis' side and their first defeat of the season, after recording four wins and two draws from their opening six games.
Published Tuesday, September 14, 2004
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