Win Midlands mini league and it could mean promotion ...

STOKE’S trip to Nottingham Forest this weekend is their third in what we might call the Midland Mini League. And coach Kevin Phillips, who knows a wee bit about football in the Midlands, agrees that whoever finishes top, or even top two, of that mini league might just be guaranteeing themselves promotion.

Phillips, who once played for Aston Villa, West Brom and Birmingham, then coached at Derby before arriving at Stoke, says: “There’s some good teams in the Midlands, aren’t there? Derby are flying with a good squad. Certainly on paper our squad looks strong and on our day we are a match for anyone.

“Forest are coming strong. Birmingham are on a hell of a run at the moment, Garry (Monk) has got them playing really well. West Brom have tailed off just a little bit, but yes, there’s some good clubs and big clubs in the Midlands.

“Finish top of that mini league and it could certainly see you in the play-offs... but ultimately we want to chase that top two.”

Stoke haven’t made the best of starts in the mini league after losing at West Brom and at home to Birmingham, so they need a result at Forest this weekend if they want any regional bragging rights sooner rather than later.

The current Midlands Mini League reads: P PT