Sun 24th May - Emirates Stadium
By Chris Burton Last updated: 25th September 2008
Pericard: Changed man
Vincent Pericard is hoping his Carling Cup exploits will help salvage his faltering Stoke career.
The Cameroonian striker was handed a rare chance to impress boss Tony Pulis against Reading on Tuesday and responded with a goal in a game the Potters went on to win on penalties.
He believes he has found a new lease of life after a turbulent two years at the Britannia Stadium and is adamant that he is deserving of a new deal.
"It has been a frustrating time for me and I am now playing for my future," Pericard told the Sentinel.
"I have less than one year left on my contract and I have been knocking on the manager's door to say 'I am here'.
"I'm a changed man. I am more confident now, and I showed that by volunteering for our last penalty in the shoot-out against Reading.
"In my first year at Stoke I was getting frustrated with the fans on my back and I think the manager was a bit scared to pick me. I wasn't strong mentally.
"It was important for me to take that penalty to show I am not scared anymore."
Pericard saw last season disrupted by two spells behind bars for a motoring offence, but insists he is a reformed character.
"I am a better man after being to prison and getting back on track," he added.
"I owe him (Tony Pulis) a lot because the manager and the chairman stood behind me. Now I am just waiting for the manager to give me a chance so I can really repay his faith. I would love to stay here.
"I feel very confident in my game and my ability at the moment, but if it doesn't work out then I will have to be somewhere else."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Sunday 12th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:30 | Newcastle Town vs Stoke |
| Friday 17th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 18:30 | St Pauli vs Stoke |
| Tuesday 21st July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 18:30 | TSG Hoffenheim vs Stoke |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Preston vs Stoke |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Nottm Forest vs Stoke |
| Saturday 1st August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Derby vs Stoke |
| Friday 7th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:00 | Stoke vs Valladolid |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Burnley |
| Wednesday 19th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Liverpool vs Stoke |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Birmingham vs Stoke |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Stoke |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Stoke |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 4 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Saturday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 1 - 2 Stoke | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 West Ham | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 1 - 0 Stoke | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 0 - 2 Stoke | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 3 - 1 Stoke | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunday 1st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Stoke | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 2 - 2 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 2 - 0 Stoke | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Man City | |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 3 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 0 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 3rd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Hartlepool 2 - 0 Stoke | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
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