Stoke

[Ben_Itez]

I can see us having a torrid time.

To counter their aerial threat we'll definitely draft Soto in (if fit) and i think this means Carra at RB regardless of whether Johnson is fit. This means straightaway that we'll sit deep due to our lack of pace and Carra certainly wont be getting forward.

Expect Etherington and Pennant will easily get at our full backs and crosses galore will be pumped into our box for Jones / Fuller etc to get on the end of.

Wouldnt be surprised to see Poulsen start as well

This is what i think Roys team will be:

Reina

Carra
Soto
Skrtel
PFK

Meireles
Poulsen
Gerrard
Maxi

Kuyt

Torres

Sit unbearably deep, concede possession and hope to hit them on the counter with long balls to Torres or hope Gerrad pulls some magic out of the bag.

I cant see anything but defeat

[Ben_Itez]

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.

Well if we're looking to blame individuals then we have to look at Gerrard who gave away a simple ball to allow them to counter. It was actually aimed at PFK but he'd wandered hopelessly far up the pitch leaving him terribly out of position and with no chance of getting back to cover.

[BigChief]

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

Then Roy will not have learned or adapted to anything (35 years, etc) and his grace period will be cut short by a few more games. His future at the club is in his own hands, screw up this easy run of games and even he'll have to admit he's not up to the job.

[SimonNo7]

Well if we're looking to blame individuals then we have to look at Gerrard who gave away a simple ball to allow them to counter. It was actually aimed at PFK but he'd wandered hopelessly far up the pitch leaving him terribly out of position and with no chance of getting back to cover.

And he has come out and admitted as much...

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6500211,00.html

[Ben_Itez]

Personally i dont like to blame individual players, after all it's a team game. I prefer to blame the manager

If we didnt win back possession so deep then there wouldnt be such pressure on the ball and we might actually have a few viable options to pass to.

[badpiggy]

****in dreading this one. We'll lose 2-1.

[JohnDoe]

We're going to get battered.

[Rudo]

Confidence high then lads

[ronanm]

If we won, it'd be interesting to see how many go back on the fence as they were post Chelsea

[Craig_H]

With regards to Roy, you mean?

I dont think many changed their minds, Chelsea win or not.

[ronanm]

With regards to Roy, you mean?

I dont think many changed their minds, Chelsea win or not.

Well, when we lose it's all his fault, so when we win what? It's not as black and white as it's made out to be.

[Craig_H]

And that's speaking for everyone, is it? I can only speak for myself, but even the wins werent convincing in terms of making me think "Oh actually, his methods are the right way to go"

Actually take a look at the recent games we've won:

Bolton - fortunate with a late goal, could easily have lost or drawn.
Blackburn - good 60 mins, dodgy & nervy towards the end.
Napoli - ****e until superman rescued us.
Chelsea - good first half, set up base camp on our 18 yard line from minute 46. On another day, Malouda and Anelka score and throw it away.
Wigan - great start and good chance to build on it and have the game won by HT. But we sit back and invite them to come and attack us at will. Lucky to draw.

Even the wins are a touch fortunate. Usually his **** methods wont result in wins. Hence - we've played 12 and only won 4.

[banditos]

Well, when we lose it's all his fault, so when we win what? It's not as black and white as it's made out to be.

My thoughts after the Chelsea win and the impression I got from most posters was that Roy still had to go, but if he could string some good results on the way out, that would be great.

Not sure where you ideas on EST's general views of Bodge come from.

[ronanm]

And that's speaking for everyone, is it? I can only speak for myself, but even the wins werent convincing in terms of making me think "Oh actually, his methods are the right way to go"

Actually take a look at the recent games we've won:

Bolton - fortunate with a late goal, could easily have lost or drawn.
Blackburn - good 60 mins, dodgy & nervy towards the end.
Napoli - ****e until superman rescued us.
Chelsea - good first half, set up base camp on our 18 yard line from minute 46. On another day, Malouda and Anelka score and throw it away.
Wigan - great start and good chance to build on it and have the game won by HT. But we sit back and invite them to come and attack us at will. Lucky to draw.

Even the wins are a touch fortunate. Usually his **** methods wont result in wins. Hence - we've played 12 and only won 4.

No, just an observation.

[ronanm]

My thoughts after the Chelsea win and the impression I got from most posters was that Roy still had to go, but if he could string some good results on the way out, that would be great.

Not sure where you ideas on EST's general views of Bodge come from.

HINT: Reading EST.