Awright Koppites

[Neil Young]

Welcome mate.

What's happening with your defence this season then? On paper you have a decent (although injury prone) wealth of centrebacks. Huth, Shawcross, Upson and Woodgate. So if Woodgate is at RB then what's your usual back line? And what's the fans' preferable back line?

Gerrard might well start by then as it's a way off.

What are your thoughts on Crouch so far? And what's happening with Pennant this season?

Bloody hell, it's Geoff Shreeves on speed.

Garth Crooks takes twenty minutes to ask a single question - you do the opposite.

[kris90210]

Eyup folks, Stoke fan here.

Thought I'd drop in ahead of our game next week and offer you all the opportunity to talk about football again...

I'm sure you lot will be expecting a win and you're quite right to do so. Our away form is actually pretty good this year (for us) but against any of the big teams Pulis reverts to type, talks in slightly hushed, revering tones about the "quality" the opposition have got "all over the pitch", parks the bus, hopes for a freak point (like we got against you three years ago) and we lose 2-0 (at least).

Our away record against the top six since we've been up is abysmal - W1 D1 L17 - kind of tells its own story. Saying that, head-to-head we have an identical record over the last three-and-a-bit seasons - W2 D3 L2 - so you never know.

Crouchy is just finding some great form with us so we'll be hoping he comes back to bite you, and Jonny Walters is a blue so he might be up for it, although he's looked absolutely knackered recently - he's played 33 games already this season and TP just refuses to give him a rest. He's pretty crucial to the way we play.

We're finally back to Huth and Shawcross at the back after a disastrous experiment with Woodgate, who is now getting starts at right-back - it's a position he's never played in his life, and it shows.

Will Gerrard start for you do you think? Do you think you'll sign a striker before then? What are your hopes for the rest of the season? My impression of Liverpool (and don't take this the wrong way) is that you remind me of a good Villa side from a few years ago - lots of good players and playing some nice stuff but not quite enough to trouble the top 4 - just my opinion like.

Obviously we're pleased Suárez will be out - incidentally I registered on here because I wanted to make some points on the thread about him - I've lived in South America for 6 years and found the whole case fascinating... but by the time my registration came through LFC had announced they weren't going to appeal and the argument had moved on. So I thought I'd come and talk football instead.

Nice one for dropping by

To answer your questions, as far as incoming transfers are concerned there's no way of knowing. I highly doubt it though! I could well see Gerrard starting, which would be bad news for you guys because he's looked sharp whenever he's played since recovering from injury.

That's quite a depressing thought that you see us as a Villa type side. We've been playing some excellent football this season but we've really struggled to break down sides that are content to play for a draw. We've been very complacent in front of goal as well, so we've been really struggling to kill off games, even if we do get ahead.

I think the general feeling amongst us fans is that we're only 2-3 players (albeit good ones) short of really pushing for a top 4 spot. A striker, a wide creative player, and a backup midfielder for Lucas.

What about you guys? What are your hopes for the season?

[Craig_H]

Bloody hell, it's Geoff Shreeves on speed

[CJ]

Bloody hell, it's Geoff Shreeves on speed.

Garth Crooks takes twenty minutes to ask a single question - you do the opposite.

Mental note must add garth crooks to the things that get on your tits thread

[Exiled_red]

IMO - it's good to see a fan of a different club on here - as long as they behave themselves and don't resort to numb skull behaviour !!

The only gripe i have with Stoke is, the long throw ins. It's a **** house tactic.

[Neil Young]

Mental note must add garth crooks to the things that get on your tits thread

[Craig_H]

I think the general feeling amongst us fans is that we're only 2-3 players (albeit good ones) short of really pushing for a top 4 spot. A striker, a wide creative player, and a backup midfielder for Lucas.

We're not short of anything when it comes to pushing for a top four spot. We're 3 points off it with 18 games to play.

We are, as we stand and with no additions, currently pushing for a top four spot.

[Lee]

Just to introduce Lee

He uses hair product and irons alot # makeyourownconclusion

Good looking boy here lad.

Bloody hell, it's Geoff Shreeves on speed.

Garth Crooks takes twenty minutes to ask a single question - you do the opposite.

I'm not feeling the love from you recently.

[PotterLog]

Welcome mate.

What's happening with your defence this season then? On paper you have a decent (although injury prone) wealth of centrebacks. Huth, Shawcross, Upson and Woodgate. So if Woodgate is at RB then what's your usual back line? And what's the fans' preferable back line?

Gerrard might well start by then as it's a way off.

What are your thoughts on Crouch so far? And what's happening with Pennant this season?

That, my friend, is a very good question. Huth was our landslide player of the season last year in his proper position at CB - he started this season as our second choice right back. God knows what Pulis was thinking. Woodgate has been pretty poor so far - he just looks frightened to tackle. He's got a fat arse and can't really run now too.

He's on a "pay as you play" deal and there are rumours of him having a "must play if fit" clause in his contract - sounds far-fetched but a lot of people can't see any other reason why he's getting starts. Mind you, in the interests of balance, he had a very good game against Blackburn the other day.

Backline will probably be Woodgate Huth Shawcross Wilson, with Shotton offering Woody extra protection on the right (basically going to five at the back when under pressure).

Fans' choice would be Wilkinson/Shotton - Huth - Shawcross - Wilson. Wilko is injured atm. Upson has done well when called upon (Europe, and the odd bit of cover in the Prem).

Something's gone on between Pennant and Pulis and the rumours are he'll be off this month.

Crouch started okay and has got better and better, culminating in a magnificent performance against Blackburn. His first touch is outstanding, and he just never gives the ball away. Celebrating like he means it too - big thumbs up so far.

[Craig_H]

You wont go far wrong with Crouchie, top lad.

[PotterLog]

Nice one for dropping by

To answer your questions, as far as incoming transfers are concerned there's no way of knowing. I highly doubt it though! I could well see Gerrard starting, which would be bad news for you guys because he's looked sharp whenever he's played since recovering from injury.

That's quite a depressing thought that you see us as a Villa type side. We've been playing some excellent football this season but we've really struggled to break down sides that are content to play for a draw. We've been very complacent in front of goal as well, so we've been really struggling to kill off games, even if we do get ahead.

I think the general feeling amongst us fans is that we're only 2-3 players (albeit good ones) short of really pushing for a top 4 spot. A striker, a wide creative player, and a backup midfielder for Lucas.

What about you guys? What are your hopes for the season?

This is my favourite post of the thread so far.

As for our hopes - do well in Europe, finish top half. Some talking about challenging for seventh but we won't do that. Actually there's one post on our board suggesting we could finish above you.

[Craig_H]

Martin Samuel, the bearded buffoon journalist, said on Sunday Supplement a few weeks back, that he felt you could potentially get into the top four.

He's still seemingly on the run from the men in white coats.

[kris90210]

We're not short of anything when it comes to pushing for a top four spot. We're 3 points off it with 18 games to play.

We are, as we stand and with no additions, currently pushing for a top four spot.

Yes, wrong choice of words there by me. I would say we're 2-3 players short of having a squad capable of cementing a top 4 spot and making a concerted challenge.

[Lee]

That, my friend, is a very good question. Huth was our landslide player of the season last year in his proper position at CB - he started this season as our second choice right back. God knows what Pulis was thinking. Woodgate has been pretty poor so far - he just looks frightened to tackle. He's got a fat arse and can't really run now too.

He's on a "pay as you play" deal and there are rumours of him having a "must play if fit" clause in his contract - sounds far-fetched but a lot of people can't see any other reason why he's getting starts. Mind you, in the interests of balance, he had a very good game against Blackburn the other day.

Backline will probably be Woodgate Huth Shawcross Wilson, with Shotton offering Woody extra protection on the right (basically going to five at the back when under pressure).

Fans' choice would be Wilkinson/Shotton - Huth - Shawcross - Wilson. Wilko is injured atm. Upson has done well when called upon (Europe, and the odd bit of cover in the Prem).

Something's gone on between Pennant and Pulis and the rumours are he'll be off this month.

Crouch started okay and has got better and better, culminating in a magnificent performance against Blackburn. His first touch is outstanding, and he just never gives the ball away. Celebrating like he means it too - big thumbs up so far.

Woodgate at RB I assumed that you'd gone 3-5-2 to be honest.

Thought that Pennant had actually found a club where he'd do well. Still, after seeing those star tattoo's on his Gregory I wouldn't want him anywhere near my club, what a c*nt.

Crouch'll be a good signing. Maybe not prolific but he'll create chances for others and hold up play well.

[PotterLog]

Martin Samuel, the bearded buffoon journalist, said on Sunday Supplement a few weeks back, that he felt you could potentially get into the top four.

He's still seemingly on the run from the men in white coats.

Yes, it caused much amusement on our board too.