Stoke game build up

[dww]

Early kick offs are usually **** games.

[Craig_H]

Cant wait for this one

Sweepstakes on which of our better players to get booted up in the air and crocked first?

[Matt]

I predict this will be grim.

Lucas and Masch in the engine room, Dirk up front.

Kill me now.

[Craig_H]

Might be useful to have a refreshed Mascherano back.

The worrying aspect is at the other end. With all 3 of our genuine consistent goal threats out, who's going to score for us?

It's not like we can even point to being good at scoring from set pieces and pinpointing that as a good option.

[PTP]

Cant wait for this one

Sweepstakes on which of our better players to get booted up in the air and crocked first?

if degen starts, he won't last 2 or 3 early runs, panic stoke. So they will **** him

[RoadEnd]

My fear about this game is that we show no real attacking threat up front - and that was even with Nando playing. I hope Rafa doesn't play conservative and go for the point. TBH, I'd rather we chucked the kitchen sink at this.

Someone like Pacheco may be good for this game - as he surely has the hunger that seems to be lacking among the others.

I assume Rodriguez/Babel will be involved.

[Craig_H]

if degen starts, he won't last 2 or 3 early runs, panic stoke. So they will **** him

It could go the other way though. The reality of seeing Degen start two consecutive games might put them into some kind of traumatic shock for half an hour or so, leaving the marauding Swiss international free to gallop down the wing in peace.

[Chazza]

Might be useful to have a refreshed Mascherano back.

The worrying aspect is at the other end. With all 3 of our genuine consistent goal threats out, who's going to score for us?

It's not like we can even point to being good at scoring from set pieces and pinpointing that as a good option.

And keeping stoke out the other end, Torres and Gerrard 2 of the better headers in the team and stoke with a bunch of 6 foot plus, lets hope the zonal is working and there delivery is ****e

[Craig_H]

My fear about this game is that we show no real attacking threat up front - and that was even with Nando playing. I hope Rafa doesn't play conservative and go for the point. TBH, I'd rather we chucked the kitchen sink at this.

Someone like Pacheco may be good for this game - as he surely has the hunger that seems to be lacking among the others.

I assume Rodriguez/Babel will be involved.

One major consequence of the 'do just enough' mentality that we unfortunately seem to have.

[BobTheCharmer]

Kuyt nailed on to start up front in this one regardless of Torres's injury.

I hope its an overly physical game. Some of our lot need a good kicking to wake themselves up. Plus it'll give Rafa something to talk about in the after match interview.

[The Glove]

We will beat Stoke.

[Craig_H]

We will beat Stoke.

I wouldnt actually be shocked if this happened.

We've pulled a fair few rabbits out of hats over the years, especially when we've been right up against it.

[S-RED]

Reina
Darby
Carra
Agger
Insua
Maxi
Lucas
Masch
Aurelio
Kuyt
Ngog

[BobTheCharmer]

Reina
Darby
Carra
Agger
Insua
Maxi
Lucas
Masch
Aurelio
Kuyt
Ngog

thats some team we have there.

[Craig_H]

Gotta say, even in the midst of the doom and gloom, there's always something to excite or intrigue - step forward Maxi (and please dont be ****!).