Image source, PA

West Brom boss Tony Pulis was named Premier League manager of the month for February after two wins and two draws.

Winning the award usually means suffering a loss in your next game and Stoke manager Mark Hughes is definitely hopes that is the case.

"We're never in danger of getting the curse of the manager of the month," says Hughes. "We can make it worse for Tony this weekend. Let's hope the curse is still prevalent.

"I'm never bothered about personal gain, it's all about the team. I'd rather they get recognised. It's sometimes great we don't get enough recognition and people are lazy in their perception to realise what is happening here."

Stoke boss Mark Hughes has led the club to eighth in the Premier League at the moment and the Potters are on course for a higher finish than West Brom boss Tony Pulis ever managed in his time in charge of them.

But Pulis says he takes pride in the success of the side, with Hughes is reaping the benefits of his work at the Britannia Stadium.

"How many players has Mark brought in?" asks the Baggies boss.

"I don't know but the majority of the lads who were there before still seem to be picked week-in week-out, that's testament to them as individuals to win over a new manager."

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West Brom boss Tony Pulis will come face-to-face with former club Stoke this afternoon but, while some reunions are less than amicable, there will be plenty of respect from both sides at The Hawthorns.

Pulis led the Potters into the Premier League and kept them there for five seasons before leaving in May 2013.

Stoke finished 12th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 13th in the top flight during his time at the Britannia outfit as he established them in the Premier League and made them one of the most awkward teams to face.

We want to know about the times when you've ever stepped in to play or referee at the last minute? It seems that lots of you have - and in the most unlikely and bizarre of circumstances.

Jake Ellis: A team mate got roped into playing 6 a side before our match and set up 4 goals. Turned into Bambi for our team.

Andy Hill: Roped in with a broken ankle (well, near enough) for Parisian team Charenton Chevaliers. Scored a hat-trick, made the papers.

Send us your stories via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only), and tune in to the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear more.

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There should be a familiar face for Arsenal fans in the West Ham line-up today with Alex Song set to be in the Hammers team if he can overcome a knee injury.

The midfielder made 204 appearances for the Gunners in a stint between 2005 and 2012, scoring 10 goals.

"West Ham had a very strong start to the season and he was one of the influential players in there," says Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

"He looks extremely focussed and motivated. I brought him here when he was 17 and I know how good he is."

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Are West Ham there for the taking by Arsenal today? The Hammers have just one win from their last 11 league games and have lost Winston Reid, James Tomkins, Carlton Cole, Andy Carroll and Enner Valencia to injury.

"We should be sat challenging for Europe still. We should be and we've been in the position to do it and we've let it slip," says West Ham boss Sam Allardyce.

"For us, the only factor is our inability in the last 11 games to win from winning positions.

"That's been our biggest downfall, where we've scored a goal and it's not been enough to win us a game from just scoring that one goal and we've had to score more than one because we've failed to keep a clean sheet. That's been the huge disappointment, not performances overall."

Former England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"Sir Alex Ferguson always said the season does not start until April. It's very difficult to bet against Arsenal finishing in the top four because of their ability to deal with pressure at the end of the league campaign. The fans might want more than that, but until Arsene Wenger has an absolute disaster, there is no chance he will be leaving the club - he is Arsenal. He has more influence at his club than any other manager at theirs."

We want to know about the times when you've ever stepped in to play or referee at the last minute? It seems that lots of you have - and in the most unlikely and bizarre of circumstances.

Simon in Bedford: On a stag do in Barcelona we were challenged to a game of 6 a side by a group of Spanish 15 year olds whose opposition failed to show. Whilst under the influence and dressed in evening going out gear, our performance left a lot to be desired. Good times.

Send us your stories via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only), and tune in to the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear more.

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Arsenal have won 11 of 13 games since New Year's Day as they time their charge for a top-four spot to perfection but, according to Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, the task of getting into the Champions League qualification slots is getting harder.

"I like this time of the season because every game is important, it's a period when you need composure, mental strength, focus and it's always interesting to see how your players respond to that," says the Frenchman.

"It gets more difficult every year because more teams compete (for the top four) and I believe that in the future it will get even harder."

Former Blackburn striker Chris Sutton
BBC Radio 5 live

"Arsenal are an enormous club and if I was a fan I would want more than I was getting at the moment. You want to challenge for the big titles.

"Attacking-wise they have a lot going for them but are still weak defensively. Everybody knows that, everybody sees that. Manager Arsene Wenger has been there a long time but until they make a change they won't challenge for the title."

Arsenal are doing their usual. After failing to challenge for the Premier League title, they look set for a top-four spot to again qualify for the Champions League and keep the money men at the Emirates happy.

The Gunners are third going into today's game at 10th-placed West Ham and have won their last nine league and cup games against the Hammers.

Have you ever stepped in to play or referee at the last minute? It seems that lots of you have - and in the most unlikely and bizarre of circumstances.

George Smith: Once got roped in to playing a game whilst on holiday in France, couldn't understand what they were telling me to do so I just ignored them. We lost.

Send us your stories via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only), and tune in to the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear more.

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Chelsea have come in for a lot of criticism for their conduct during their Champions League exit to Paris St-Germain in midweek, former Liverpool players turned pundits Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness also waded in. Blues boss Jose Mourinho, as the Daily Star, external puts it, has told the pair to 'Shut It' in his own inimitable style.

"The world is a bit strange," says Mourinho. "Maybe because of diet and maybe the quality of the products we are eating, memories are getting shorter.

"Because, you know, when Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness speak about it, it's because they are having a problem for sure.

"Jamie stopped playing a couple of years ago and, in two years, he forget everything he did on the pitch. Mr Souness also, but he stopped playing a long times ago. I coached Benfica, I know a lot about him, so much about him.

"But I've a certain kind of education, not just in football but in life, and I prefer to laugh. Envy is the biggest tribute that the shadows do to the man. It's about life."

Ever stepped in to play or referee at the last minute? It seems that lots of you have - and in the most unlikely and bizarre of circumstances.

Will from London: I was visiting a friend in Cambridge, and got asked to play for his college team. Unfortunately I didn't realise that my mate had stitched me up and told everybody that I used to be in Aston Villa's academy. Needless to say the captain was quite disappointed with my particularly average play up front, and I got subbed off at half time!

Tony, Glasgow: Was away watching Celtic play Benfica & the next day me & a few mates went to Estadio Nacional where Celtic won the European cup as a pilgrimage. Met a bunch of fellow Celts who had brought a ball & asked if I wanted a game on the hallowed turf. I had a shocker, missed a penalty...although I did have a beer in my hand when I took it!

Ben, Bishops Stortford: We were challenged to a game of good old fashioned jumpers for goalposts by 4 Nepalese brothers and their ageing grandfather in Richmond Park. There were only three of us so we stick Grandad in goal, smoking rollups throughout the match. Despite being convinced they would absolutely tan us, we were victorious - mostly due to the energy of my young nephew. Grandad did let a few suspect shots through however...

Send us your stories via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only), and tune in to the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear more.

More from Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers on Raheem Sterling protracted contract talks:

"For me, we have a track record here of developing talent and bringing them through and there will be more of those players like Raheem that will get the opportunity," says the Reds boss.

"I just speak to Raheem about his football.

"I don't think it will be a distraction. That side of it, they have to leave to their representatives and the club."

"It is quite obvious anyone who has best interests of Raheem that Liverpool at this stage is the best option for his career," adds Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers.

"He has said himself he loves being here. I'm sure the club and his representatives will find a solution."

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Liverpool face a tough trip to Swansea on Monday as they chase a top four spot and Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has been holding his news conference today ahead of that game.

Asked about the latest on forward Raheem Sterling's contract talks, Rodgers says: "There is nothing new to report. I am relaxed about situation.

"He is not going anywhere in a hurry. He has still got this year plus two more to go on his current deal."

Ever stepped in to play or referee at the last minute? Well, we've got one happening right now but even the man himself does not know yet where he's going to play...

Matthew from Manchester: Literally sat in a car park now waiting for the one person who has roped me in to play - would go and get changed but don't know if we are home or away.

Send us your stories via #bbcfootball,, external on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external or via text on 81111 (UK only), and tune in to the Danny Baker Show on BBC Radio 5 live to hear more.

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QPR will have to break a record of failing to win their last 11 Premier League London derbies if they are to beat Crystal Palace.

And R's boss Chris Ramsey says: "I think anybody who can't consider themselves mathematically safe are always going to be looking over their shoulders.

"We want to drag them closer to us. We want to have as many teams as possible close to the dogfight to give ourselves a chance to stay in the league.

"We understand this game is a cup final for us."