Stoke Build-up

[Muddled]

Perhaps we'll revert to experience and ask Carragher if he doesn't mind filling in at right back and if he's not going to play there for the good of the team, then we might turn to Flanagan.

Or perhaps he'll play there for Kenny.

Still, three at the back is a good call and if we were to play Flanagan, it would give him a little more security as he builds his confidence back up.

If Adam is ruled out, then I think we do need Henderson in the middle as a central midfield partnership of Spearing and Lucas - whilst hardworking - would lack a bit of craft.

[PTP]

Can't wait for this international malarky to finish so we can get back to football..

i'd agree with the rev leroy brown's side - Bellamy to come of the bench once carroll has roughed up the defenders

[St.Anger]

I think we will save either Suarez and/or Bellamy for mid second half sub. Carroll and Kuyt will tire their defenders and then we bring on our pace and trickery. This will be a very combative game and I think we need our physical boys to fight hard so our skillfull players can cause havoc later in the game.

------------Carroll------Kuyt
Downing----lucas---adam---Henderson
Enriqe----Agger---Carra---Johnsen (hopefully fit, if not I would go with Skrtl)
-------------reina

[TheElephantMan]

I think we need to use Carroll's strength in this game, towards the end of the Bolton game Carroll and Zat Knight collided and Knight was crumpled up on the floor whilst Carroll carried on as if nothing had happened. If AC can knock the Stoke players about a bit during the first half then we can take full advantage in the second.

[Fernandinho]

i love how all footballing philosophy goes out the window vs stoke away. I say we start it as a normal game and rip them the **** apart along the ground like we have against every other team.

[Reece]

Who have been Stoke's first choice CB pairing so far this season? It was Huth and Shawcross last season IIRC, but I'm sure I heard something about how well Woodgate has been playing. Unless they've been playing with three at the back?

[Lee]

Who have been Stoke's first choice CB pairing so far this season? It was Huth and Shawcross last season IIRC, but I'm sure I heard something about how well Woodgate has been playing. Unless they've been playing with three at the back?

I'm sure it's been Shawcross and Woodgate in the middle with Huth at RB. Don't think Upson has had too much involvement yet.

[Reece]

Cheers, Lee

Hopefully Downing can get at Huth at RB then - and I doubt he's too much of an attacking threat (set pieces aside).

Shawcross is a bit of a dirty **** so in that regard I can see it being worth starting with Carroll to give him some back and "protect" Suarez somewhat.

By the same token I'd be more than happy if we started with AC on the bench, went with perhaps Downing, Suarez and Bellamy up top and run rings around their defence

[Muddled]

I think they shoved Huth to right or left back (from memory) in one of their earlier games.

EDIT: Lee's covered it.

[Corndog]

I think Carroll will start. But it will be as much for his defensive qualities as it is for his attacking ones. We need a beast in the air to help us defend at set pieces and he's outstanding at it.

Agreed

Everybody knows Stoke are good in the air and score alot of their goals from some sort of set-piece but i wouldn't necessarily say playing Carroll is to there advantage, its not like we are forced to play all the balls into carroll at chest or head height, hes more than a big lump up front, besides stoke showed against chelsea they are just as capable at defending play across the ground for lenghty periods of time. i'd like to see bellamy start on the right as there are question marks over Adam's fitness after he picked up an injury with Scotland. This may mean Hendo moving into midfield and suarez in between the lines. Also as somebody already pointed out kuyt has just had 2 friendlies so maybe get him coming into the game off the bench! Think Coates will at least make the bench, he will be playing games this season no doubt, hes one for both the present and the future. Looking forward to seeing Johnson back to see how he fits in with the new team!

[Lee]

Cheers, Lee

Hopefully Downing can get at Huth at RB then - and I doubt he's too much of an attacking threat (set pieces aside).

Shawcross is a bit of a dirty **** so in that regard I can see it being worth starting with Carroll to give him some back and "protect" Suarez somewhat.

By the same token I'd be more than happy if we started with AC on the bench, went with perhaps Downing, Suarez and Bellamy up top and run rings around their defence

Exactly what I thought mate. I might be wrong but I'm sure they've been playing 4-4-2 with Huth at RB.

I think we've more than enough in our locker to beat these horrible ****ers. Their defence will start with Carroll, Suarez, Kuyt and Downing all running at them from the first whistle, and when they're getting worn out we'll bring on Bellars and Maxi to finish them off

Who plays up front for Stoke these days?

[Reece]

Exactly what I thought mate. I might be wrong but I'm sure they've been playing 4-4-2 with Huth at RB.

I think we've more than enough in our locker to beat these horrible ****ers. Their defence will start with Carroll, Suarez, Kuyt and Downing all running at them from the first whistle, and when they're getting worn out we'll bring on Bellars and Maxi to finish them off

Who plays up front for Stoke these days?

They bought Crouch didn't they? And someone else... Cameron Jerome wasn't it?


I've just had a horrible flashback of the game at Stoke last season under Hodgson The stuff of nightmares.

[Resu]

i love how all footballing philosophy goes out the window vs stoke away. I say we start it as a normal game and rip them the **** apart along the ground like we have against every other team.

It`s a well known fact that Stoke away is the ultimate test for a footballer, especially if it`s bad weather and on a Wednesday.
It is belived that a player like Messi would lose all his skills under these conditions.

Why this occours is still a mystery, but it is belived that the Bermuda Triangle has something to do woth it.

[Reece]

It`s a well known fact that Stoke away is the ultimate test for a footballer, especially if it`s bad weather and on a Wednesday.
It is belived that a player like Messi would lose all his skills under these conditions.

Why this occours is still a mystery, but it is belived that the Bermuda Triangle has something to do woth it.

[Lee]

They bought Crouch didn't they? And someone else... Cameron Jerome wasn't it?


I've just had a horrible flashback of the game at Stoke last season under Hodgson The stuff of nightmares.

Crouch of course

And Jerome who scores three goals a season, and scored two (?) against us last year.

Well this is ****ing inevitable isn't it.