Matthew Etherington believes Stoke deserve to finish in the top half and has called on his team-mates to end the season strongly.
Winger says Stoke deserve higher finish
Matthew Etherington believes Stoke deserve to finish in the top half of the Premier League and has called on his team-mates to end the season strongly.
The Potters suffered FA Cup disappointment at the hands of Liverpool at the weekend and must now return their focus to the league and a clash with Tottenham on Wednesday.
Etherington is expecting a tough match but is determined to help Stoke find some form during the run-in to secure a higher standing than last term.
Tony Pulis' men narrowly missed out on a place in the top ten after losing to Wigan on the final day of the 2010/11 campaign, and they currently occupy 14th spot.
However, there are only three points separating seven of the teams in mid-table and Etherington is adamant that Stoke are worthy of a better position.
"We've got to finish this season strongly," the winger told the club's
official website. "We deserve to finish in the top ten, I don't think anyone can argue with that.
Enjoyable
"We missed out last season, but if we can make sure this time around, then I think you can say it's been a successful campaign.
"Spurs may be on a tricky run at the moment, and the talk about Harry Redknapp and England probably hasn't helped them, but they've got some top players and it's always tough going there."
Etherington scored twice in the reverse fixture against Tottenham in December and is targeting a repeat performance against his old club.
"That was a great day, obviously I scored two and we played very well, especially in the first half, when we were brilliant," he added.
"It's going to be hard away from home, but we've won there before and we competed well last season when we lost 3-2. We'll be looking to play like that again.
"It's always enjoyable going back there; playing in big arenas like that against top teams and top players. That's what you aim for."
