Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has said "there's not enough banter in football" as he prepares for a lively reception against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, reports the Stoke Sentinel. 

The former Derby boss returns to the City Ground for the first time since his departure from Pride Park, and had been controversially involved in a verbal war with the Forest fans in Derby's last visit to Nottingham.

“I’m under pressure now aren’t I because if you remember, against Derby, they gave my trainers a little bit of stick," Rowett said.

"I tried to give a bit of stick back tongue in cheek - but there’s not enough banter in football is there?

"I might have to go in tracksuit and trainers just to give them nothing to vent their abuse at but I’m sure I’m going to get stick from Derby fans as well so I haven’t really got anywhere to hide at the minute?! It’s all good fun."

Stoke succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, which was their fourth league defeat of the season, leaving them in 18th place after just two wins and three draws.

The Verdict

The banter may be all good fun, but it isn't good fun on the pitch for Stoke by any means at the minute and Rowett needs to concentrate on what his players are doing on the pitch rather than the songs off it.

The Potters could do with Forest's scalp in the League Cup this week after a difficult fixture on Saturday.

Thoughts? Let us know!