STOKE City's embattled players are at the Houses of Parliament today in search of some Churchillian spirit for their fight against Premier League relegation.
The first-team party, manager Tony Pulis, his coaching staff and chairman Peter Coates were being treated to a guided tour and luncheon as part of the club's 150th birthday celebrations.
And Coates is hoping the break from routine – together with the hallowed environment – will have an effect on a team who have just five games to save themselves from a return to Championship football.
"It was arranged some time ago," he said. "I don't see it as a problem because it makes a change for the players. It's been a long season and they don't need more training. Hopefully, the change of scene will be good for them.
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"I also remember Gareth Southgate's famous quote about the World Cup quarter-finals against Brazil in 2002 when he said at half-time they needed a speech from Winston Churchill, but what they got was Iain Duncan Smith.
"Well, the message at Stoke as far as we are concerned is a pretty simple one, and that is everybody must stick together between now and the end of the season. That gives us our best chance."
Stoke find themselves just three points above third bottom Wigan, but having played two games more than Roberto Martinez's FA Cup finalists, following a run of just five points from the last 42 on offer.
Coates admits to his anxiety, but insists he can draw some comfort from Sunday's 2-0 home defeat by champions-elect Manchester United.
"I'm feeling as anxious as everybody else," he revealed, "and I'm also as desperate as everybody else for us to get the points we need.
"Before they scored their second goal we were just getting into the game. But we have never beaten United, so it should not affect our confidence.
"I thought our fans were great, and that is very much appreciated, but we have to keep that up because we have two huge games coming up (at QPR and against Norwich)."
Stoke head to Loftus Road on Saturday after losing their last six leagues games on the road, but Coates insists there is cause for optimism after recent away performances.
"I am realistic about what I see, and I don't sugar coat the pill," he added. "In the last four away games we have played well without getting anything.
"But it will be tough at QPR. They were unlucky not to beat Wigan the other week, and it was no disgrace to lose at Everton, as they did on Saturday."
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