Stoke

[red g]

I don't think I can even bear to watch this. This will be brutal, pullis v Hodgson 2 of the premierships most limited managers in a head 2 head battle of alehouse eighties football.

At least stoke are set up and have players to play that way. Think jones will have a field day to ......as will pennant!

[Shaggy]

Could be really uncomfortable this. Hope Soto recovers in time.

[Pablo]

I expect us to lose this.

[Rudo]

Dreading it big time.

Stoke are a powerful side, been very unlucky this season but that win on Monday night will have given them a lift.

Uncomfortable match awaits is right.

[BigChief]

I think our backline is starting to gel well. Skrtel and Carra are finally showing consistency. Kelly's doing well. Konchesky is our weak link admittedly. With Lucas back to form we should be ok at the back though.

More importantly Torres is scoring a goal a game and Gerrard is looking to attack the opposing penalty area more often. I know it always comes down to those two for us, but that's what we have and that's what should win us the game.

[Reece]

I think our backline is starting to gel well.

I was starting to think the same, but Wigan seemed to open us up fairly easily last night. Better final balls/finishing and they could have easily scored a couple more.

[Tee]

Gerrard will be up for this big time so I expect us to get a positive result.

Will be tough but Stoke have not been in great form either. As long as Poulsen does not play we should be ok, just.

[Fernandinho]

If Soto is fit its almost a guarantee we will go back to

Carra-Soto-Skrtel- .....-

[BigChief]

I was starting to think the same, but Wigan seemed to open us up fairly easily last night. Better final balls/finishing and they could have easily scored a couple more.

They were opening us easily. Some of that was Konchesky not knowing how to handle Stemp(?) on his wing and some to do with Gerrard and Lucas being knackered thus not covering back well enough.

Had a look at the goal, Rodallega was standing where Lucas should have covered the initial save from Reina. Had Lucas been two yards closer he would have cleared before Rodallega got a chance to pull the trigger. Not blaming Lucas per se, just saying tiredness was killing us all over the park.

Hopefully we'll have regathered our focus for Saturday evening.

[Rudo]

If Soto is fit its almost a guarantee we will go back to

Carra-Soto-Skrtel- .....-

I'd throw Kelly in at left back.

Carra --- Soto --- Skrtel -- Kelly

That's a mean ****ing defence, just what will be required at Stoke.

[banditos]

If Soto doesn't play, Stoke will tear us a new arsehole. With Roy's away tactics, they will be pumping crosses into our box all day long.

[banditos]

I'd throw Kelly in at left back.

Carra --- Soto --- Skrtel -- Kelly

That's a mean ****ing defence, just what will be required at Stoke.

I'd go with that too, but I think Roy will hav PFK at RB.

[dww]

I predict at least one goal for Stoke coming from a long right to left ball to test out Konchesky. If Soto isn't playing and we sit back then we might as well give them the three points before kick off.

[BigChief]

I predict at least one goal for Stoke coming from a long right to left ball to test out Konchesky. If Soto isn't playing and we sit back then we might as well give them th ethree points before kick off.

We need to push their fullbacks and wingers all the way back by dictating higher up the pitch. Fewer crossing opportunities, less danger.

We can deal with long balls as per Rudo's backline.

[Exiled_red]

We need to push their fullbacks and wingers all the way back by dictating higher up the pitch. Fewer crossing opportunities, less danger.

We can deal with long balls as per Rudo's backline.

But we have Roy as a manager so we'll sit deep, invite them on to us and let them dominate the game