Albion face Potters on Sunday (3pm ko)
BEN Foster has urged his team-mates to forget history and concentrate on the present ahead of the trip to Stoke on Sunday afternoon.
The Baggies have struggled against their Midlands rivals in recent times having won just once in the last ten years, leading to some handing The Potters the label of ‘bogey side’.
The England international was in between the sticks the last time Albion beat Stoke, a 2-1 away win in January 2012 – a game which saw Graham Dorrans grab a last-minute winner.
And Foster, who spent three years at the Britannia Stadium without making a first-team appearance, says the past counts for nothing in football.
“You can’t get carried away with calling Stoke a bogey team,” said Albion’s Number 1.
“Luckily I have played in a game where we have beaten them.
“History doesn’t really count for too much in football matches.
“Stoke are always a difficult team to play against and we know it is going to be tough test.
“We know what to expect from them.
“A lot of the lads probably watched them last week when they were on the TV against Chelsea.
“There is a bit more passing involved in their style of play now, but you still know that when you go up there that it is going to be a hostile atmosphere.
“They are a strong team and we need to be ready to stand up to them.”