Stoke skipper's wife speaks out

Andy Griffin is currently sidelined with a hamstring tear (Getty)

Louise Griffin, wife of Stoke captain Andy, has issued a rallying cry to the whole of the city as the Potters push for promotion to the Premier League.

Responding to criticism directed towards the team following a recent run of poor form she said: "We need to install belief in the fans.

"Right now there is something amazing happening in our city.

"We need to think like winners, get excited and get behind the lads. Think how great this could be for our city."

Louise is a native of Stoke-on-Trent and met Andy when he was a youth team player at the Britannia Stadium.

"We have lost a lot of our industry, the pots and mines and this has changed the city," she said. "Now we can put Stoke-on-Trent back on the map."

She is a Stoke fan and says although she can understand the frustrations of the supporters, now is the time to get behind the team.

"At this stage of the season calling for the manager's head and complaining about team selection or performance is useless. We need to believe. We have had disappointment for so long that is what people expect.

"For the first time in a long, long time we are within touching distance of playing top-flight football. In the past Stoke City was a mighty football club and we can be once again."