Stoke Build-up

[Fernandinho]

Who can forget that fluke Jerome scored against us

[Corndog]

Who can forget that fluke Jerome scored against us

David N'Gog also got a good goal that day....it was flukes all round

[Pablo]

My bad

You should just put this as your signature. It would save you loads of time

[Fernandinho]

David N'Gog also got a good goal that day....it was flukes all round

Was that a different game to the one when Ngog won us a penalty for diving after Torres was subbed?

[calvoboy]

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.

I know what you mean but football philosophy is all about defending against the opposition strengths and exploiting their weaknesses. You don't play the same way against Barca as you would against Chelsea, as you would against Everton. Stoke are pretty unique in the type of threat that they pose, at least now that Allardyce is working in the Championship, and you need to do something to counteract it as well as tearing them a new one when you've got the ball yourself. Otherwise you end up like Wenger (and occasionally Rafa), moaning about their bully-boy tactics and lack of a strong ref after you've been beaten.

[Mostar]

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.

They also bought Palacios from Spurs and that is a very good signing for them.

[Reece]

Do you think so? Not really that big a fan, and it seems Spurs weren't too fussed about losing him either.

Lucas > Palacios.

Lucas

[dww]

Do you think so? Not really that big a fan, and it seems Spurs weren't too fussed about losing him either.

Lucas > Palacios.

Lucas

Depends on what you think Stokes level is I guess. Like a lot of DMs around in the PL at the minute I think Palacios has a tendency to get too advanced and confuse himself with a more all round player. He's an excellent tackler though and if he can allow Stoke to play a bit higher up the pitch against better teams he couple potentially be a big improvement for them. If he goes wandering and leaves their CBs exposed then he will have weakened them IMO.

Still Lucas does indeed

[Mostar]

Do you think so? Not really that big a fan, and it seems Spurs weren't too fussed about losing him either.

Lucas > Palacios.

Lucas

They got rid of him as they have Sandro (still not fit from the injury) and now Parker (they could use Huddlestone there too) so there is no need to keep another DM but Stoke didn't get him cheap even though he didn't really play much last year.

Imo he's not disciplined enough, too inconsistant and his decision making is poor to be a very good player at the top club but his tackling is superb.

He's more less Stoke level and I think he'll do well for them as he did for Wigan.

[Mattshark]

I know what you mean but football philosophy is all about defending against the opposition strengths and exploiting their weaknesses. You don't play the same way against Barca as you would against Chelsea, as you would against Everton. Stoke are pretty unique in the type of threat that they pose, at least now that Allardyce is working in the Championship, and you need to do something to counteract it as well as tearing them a new one when you've got the ball yourself. Otherwise you end up like Wenger (and occasionally Rafa), moaning about their bully-boy tactics and lack of a strong ref after you've been beaten.

I'm pretty Bolton still play the same way as Stoke do.

[The Erectile Banana]

I'm pretty. Bolton still play the same way as Stoke do.

Fair enough. What about the game, though?

[Mattshark]

Fair enough. What about the game, though?

I'm pretty sure*

[Roboklopp]

Am wondering if a proper physical battle will fire Carroll the **** up & do him some good.

[Mattshark]

Am wondering if a proper physical battle will fire Carroll the **** up & do him some good.

I still think it'd just give Stoke the type of challenge they will enjoy, they won't enjoy intelligent movement and skill.

[calvoboy]

I'm pretty Bolton still play the same way as Stoke do.

You reckon? From what I've seen, apart from still having Davies as a target man they've changed completely under coyle. Still pretty direct, but a million miles from what they were.