SIMON Grayson believes tomorrow's game with Stoke City will see Pool come up against a team who 'probably gave us our hardest game of the season at home'.

The two sides last met in December when the Potters went away with the points following a 3-2 victory.

The Seasiders had taken the lead in the game through Michael Flynn but were pegged back by a brace from Ricardo Fuller and header from Leon Cort to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Shaun Barker pulled a goal back with a minute remaining but in the end it was Stoke who held on for the win.

Despite nearly equalising late on, the feeling amongst the Pool squad has been that Stoke have been the best side faced at Bloomfield Road this season and the manager agrees.

"It's a tough test for us," he said. "I think everybody looks at our fixtures and thinks that they're very difficult but all season we have done really well away from home. We've played some good stuff and we're in a decent run of form at the moment and we're looking forward to another big game.

"Stoke are a big, strong team and probably gave us our hardest game of the season so far at home."

Blackpool meet Stoke in good form once more, as the club currently find themselves joint top of the Championship with Bristol City. Grayson believes the side have got their just rewards but feels Pool can go to the Britannia stadium and pick up three points at the weekend.

"They are up there on merits, top of the division, but it's a game that we think we can go and win and that's what we're setting out to do," he said.

"We're fully aware of Stoke's strengths and weaknesses, I think people label them being a little bit long ball and stuff like that, but I'm not for that.

"I think they've got some good footballers in the team who knock it around and if you've got things in your armoury like good long-throws and good set pieces then you've got to use them to your advantage and that's what they do.

"They're in a fantastic position ready to kick-on from now until the end of the season," Grayson added.

Midfielder Michael Flynn echoed the manager's thoughts and added: "I think they are the best team we have played in the league and I think they'll go up to be fair.

"It'll be a tough task but we don't go fearing anyone. We go there and we try and play our game, and hopefully, it'll be enough on Saturday."