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08 May 2001
'NOW THE REAL BATTLES START'

These were the words of Stoke City manager Gudjon Thordarson after his Stoke City side managed to reach the play-offs for a place in the Nationwide League First Division.

Stoke face Walsall over two legs in a play-off semi-final and Thordarson believes Stoke are in with a perfect chance to return to the First Division for the first time since 1998.

"We can see our path to promotion now. They will be two very tough games against Walsall – they are a strong, experienced, well-organised side," he said.

"I thought we would meet again after they won at Port Vale on Thursday. That clinched their fourth place and I was confident we would do our job against Swindon and finish fifth.

"It was important we started well and you don’t get a better start than a goal in the first minute. After that it was a case of keeping going.

"The plan was to hit them hard and early and win the game in the first-half and that’s exactly what we did.

"I wanted the mission completed as soon as possible and after that it was simply a case of concentrating and making sure we made no silly mistakes."

The Stoke boss said that his prior experience of the play-offs means that he can go into the game with confidence that Stoke can overcome Ray Graydon’s side.

"Last year’s semi-final defeat to Gillingham is still painful. But now is the time we can put those lessons to good use.

"We know what can happen, and we feel we kicked ourselves out last time. But we are now a year older and wiser and I think we are a stronger side and a better footballing team and we are ready to complete the job.

"We are going into the play-offs on the back of three successive league wins, which means we are a form team with plenty of confidence."

Gudjon Thordarson

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