Team for Stoke

[the rev leeroy brown]

I think the mention of Stoke playing a physical game and then suggesting we need to put our biggest pansy on the pitch is a bit of a contradiction.

just couldn't think of anyone else who could have played right back. kelly and darby not ready.

[Kenneth]

I think we should stick one of the young centre backs in. We need Johnson as a wide attacking option and it's not good for confidence of the yound lads to reshuffle to avoid playing them. If Carra is at the races, they'll do fine imo.

[The_weatherman]

Is Plessis hopeless at centre back? Goddamit Sami! Where are you now!

[Ben_Itez]

Im getting more depressed and disillusioned by the hour

I still dont understand how anyone can buy a club (or anything for that matter) by borrowing against the value of their intended purchase. It should be illegal. I dont expect City type spending but seeing as though we made an operating profit last year and also profit in the transfer market you'd think we'd be able to buy a couple more players....but no it goes on servicing the debt created by their 'creative' takeover.

Grim. Grim. Grim.

**** knows who Rafa's gonna play at the back on Wednesday.....let's hope Stoke show just as much attacking ambition as they did last year when they totalled one shot which was from about 30 yards.

[The_weatherman]

I think we should stick one of the young centre backs in. We need Johnson as a wide attacking option and it's not good for confidence of the yound lads to reshuffle to avoid playing them. If Carra is at the races, they'll do fine imo.

[JohnDoe]

just couldn't think of anyone else who could have played right back. kelly and darby not ready.

Darby no, but at least Kelly has pace, is 6'3" tall and has ability. I wouldn't trust Degen in any game at the moment, and the fact Rafa didn't even put him on the bench against Spurs says it all (unless he's injured again).

[Fierce]

DWW with a post about an antipodean in 5...4...3...

[The_weatherman]

Im getting more depressed and disillusioned by the hour

I still dont understand how anyone can buy a club (or anything for that matter) by borrowing against the value of their intended purchase. It should be illegal. I dont expect City type spending but seeing as though we made an operating profit last year and also profit in the transfer market you'd think we'd be able to buy a couple more players....but no it goes on servicing the debt created by their 'creative' takeover.

Grim. Grim. Grim.

**** knows who Rafa's gonna play at the back on Wednesday.....let's hope Stoke show just as much attacking ambition as they did last year when they totalled one shot which was from about 30 yards.

[Reece]

DWW with a post about an antipodean in 5...4...3...

[Kenneth]

Is Plessis hopeless at centre back? Goddamit Sami! Where are you now!

Annoying that Sami would have been a perfect backup and would be playing now but we couldn't promise it. My favourite player too




Anyway, Plessis is just hopeless.

[Exiled_red]

And Riera and Aurelio?

Is Riera injured? How long is he out for? I think Insua would probably have played ahead of Aureilo anyway

[The_weatherman]

Annoying that Sami would have been a perfect backup and would be playing now but we couldn't promise it. My favourite player too




Anyway, Plessis is just hopeless.

So in the hopeless category we have:

Ayala
Kelly
Plessis
Degen
Dossena

And the useful category counts:

Carra
Insua
Johnson

By my count we have to take one from the hopeless category and chuck him in the deep end. Since they are all hopeless I'm going for Ayala so he can at least learn something and get his shot in his position.

[JohnDoe]

I think we should stick one of the young centre backs in. We need Johnson as a wide attacking option and it's not good for confidence of the yound lads to reshuffle to avoid playing them. If Carra is at the races, they'll do fine imo.

It won't do any good for their confidence when they get killed in a game they were not ready for. This isn't West Brom, we're playing the Rugby side that pretends to be a football team. Can you imagine Ayala standing up against one of their big, **** off strikers when they get a throw in? He looks like his balls haven't dropped to their sack yet!

As for Carragher, that doesn't make me feel more confident at all, judging by his panicky performance at Spurs.

[The_weatherman]

It won't do any good for their confidence when they get killed in a game they were not ready for. This isn't West Brom, we're playing the Rugby side that pretends to be a football team. Can you imagine Ayala standing up against one of their big, **** off strikers when they get a throw in? He looks like his balls haven't dropped to their sack yet!

As for Carragher, that doesn't make me feel more confident at all, judging by his panicky performance at Spurs.

Well what do you propose? Johnson with his dodgy positioning doesn't exactly fill me with confidence either, Ayala would be protected by Mascher who needs to step up and........oh, that's it.

[Kenneth]

Is Riera injured? How long is he out for? I think Insua would probably have played ahead of Aureilo anyway

Riera is out with an ankle injury I think. Due back for next weekend.

Insua may have played at LB, not sure, but Fabio may have been an option on the left of MF as he was a few times last year. Did alright too.

El Zhar might have figured, at least off the bench if he wasn't injured too. But as you say, the major losses are the CBs.