Stoke Build-up

[billy_mac]

I've been thinking, Kenny played Stoke last season with three at the back, any chance it would happen here?

Every chance ... Kenny has picked some unusual selections and formations. We could even see Skrtel play right back after his performance against Bolton.

[Baracus]

The way we tore Bolton to shreads, with our movement ( A Similar player build size to Stoke) I would Defo keep Kuyt and Saurez together. However. I would be a bit more radical

- - - - - - Pepe - - - -
- - Srktel - Carra - - Agger
-Henderson - Lucas - Adam - Downing
- - - Kuyt - Carroll - Saurez -

Downing and Henderson cover enough ground between. The only Problem is both a constant drifters

[yamiedo]

After seeing Bellamy for Wales I would definitely start with him. He looked like a complete menace against a good Serbia side.

[Frenchie]

Apart from the domestic cups, I don't think we'll see much of Coates this season.

s'funny because I initially thought the same then Steve C came out with "he's ready now"

I bet he is a regular within 4 games, I've seen a lot of him here in Mexico on TV (live footie every day from everywhere).

[Mostar]

After seeing Bellamy for Wales I would definitely start with him. He looked like a complete menace against a good Serbia side.

I would start Bellamy too.

We need pace to stretch sky-high and not very mobile Stoke back 4 and Bellamy would be perfect for that.

[-V-]

Can't see Andy Carroll not playing. We need an extra physical presence in the box to defend set-pieces and he's as big as we got. Similarly we need him at the right end too

[RichC]

Can't see Andy Carroll not playing. We need an extra physical presence in the box to defend set-pieces and he's as big as we got. Similarly we need him at the right end too

[john316]

Can't see Andy Carroll not playing. We need an extra physical presence in the box to defend set-pieces and he's as big as we got. Similarly we need him at the right end too

Absolutely - we'll be far too small defending those set pieces. No Kelly so it'll be Johnson probably back so no real size at full back. No point doing an Arsenal in heading to Stoke in denial and getting bullied. We've signed Carroll to give us that physicality that we've lacked in recent years away from home.

[Fosterbloke]

I get the feeling that if we play Carroll he's going to revel in the physical nature of an away game to Stoke. So for me I say we play high up the pitch and cross them in.

[Pablo]

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.

[Muddled]

I can see the reasoning behind starting Carroll for his physicality, but consider this:

Would Huth prefer going up for a header with Carroll, or Suarez (or Bellamy) going around his feet?

We are also dependent on Carroll being his bulldozing best and at the moment he looks a bit timid and short on confidence. Think about his header on his Man Utd debut and his second goal against City, he was throwing himself about, but recently we haven't seen that, he's mainly been waiting for the ball to come to him and let's be honest - we'll be playing in to the hands of Huth, Shawcross and Woodgate.

Also, we should have enough clout between Carragher and Agger to deal with the defensive side of Stoke's game and shouldn't be including Carroll for this reason alone. Where as we considered Carroll the best option for Arsenal with Suarez from the bench, I think this game is a role reversal.

[Pablo]

I'm not saying it's what I'd do, I'm saying it's what I expect to happen.

[Charly]

So far, the two things I though Carroll would be good at, heading and physical challanges, he has looked weak at, to me.

[Muddled]

I'm not saying it's what I'd do, I'm saying it's what I expect to happen.

That wasn't in reply to you PabloYearOfMyBirth.

[Mattshark]

So far, the two things I though Carroll would be good at, heading and physical challanges, he has looked weak at, to me.

Stoke are very similar to Bolton, we were better without Carroll in that game and I think we will be better without Carroll for this.