Stoke (A): Build Up

[DannyMan2006]

I suspect this is what we'll do as it seems to be how Rodgers starts every season. I hope we don't do it this year. I wan't to see a high intensity game where we really get our pressing game going and set some standards for the season.

I've not watched the pre-season games to tell who has been given the deepest midfield position but I'd be tempted to put Ibe in for Lucas with Milner driving us forward from the base of midfield.

Lucas or Allen have been the deepest when they've started. Milner has played in the position alongside Hendo just ahead. I'll be surprised if those two don't start v Stoke with Lucas at the base. I think for now, Can will sit it out.

I think if we played Stoke tomorrow it'd be Lallana & Ibe out wide with Origi up top. That's been the most used line up. That said, our squad looks like a top 8 side without the return of Couts, Firmino, Can, Benteke & Studge.

We are going to want to start some of those in games as soon as we can, we have a tough start to the season and it'd be a huge gamble to rest them. If we get off to a bad start, you can imagine how toxic it would quickly get.

[dww]

I can't see benteke at least not starting.

[DannyMan2006]

I can't see benteke at least not starting.

I'd agree, but as with all we will get a better idea in our next game. I think we have two games really close. Whoever starts with Hendo & Milner must be favourites to get the nod for Stoke.

[baitman]

looks like we will be playing against the barcelona b team

[kev776]

I can't see benteke at least not starting.

Does this mean you can see him starting?

[Buzzo]

I can't see benteke at least not starting.

that's like a triple negative? Does this mean you think he will start or not?

[Infadel]

I can't think of a worse opener for us.

[Fosterbloke]

that's like a triple negative? Does this mean you think he will start or not?

It means he believes he will start.

[frank the tank]

it is a terrible opening fixture alright.......to be honest I would have preferred an away game against someone from the top 4......or any other team for that matter.

The only slightly saving grace is the fact that we got hockied there on the final day of the season - hopefully that should be Brendans team talk taken care of straight away....

However, Stoke will be well up for it - they started last season crappie enough so Hughes will be eager to get them out of the traps pronto this season and will certainly have a gameplan to get in our faces. If Stoke get the first goal, then I will be worried........and anything other than a win will crank up the pressure big time on Brendan after only one game.....we need to get 6 points from our first 2 games going into the arsenal away game.


I would like to see a team of:

---------------------------------MIGNOLET-----------------------------------

CLYNE-------------SKRTEL----------------------SAKHO------------MORENO

---------------HENDERSON-----LUCAS--------MILNER----------------------

LALLANA----------------------------------------------------------COUTINHO

-------------------------------BENTEKE---------------------------------------


Subs: Ings, Origi, Lovren, Gomez, Emre Can, Ibe, Bogdan


with Lallana and Coutinho floating inside when we have the ball.....

[Slinky Skills]

I don't think we'll beat Stoke but it won't be another 6-1 hammering like last time.

[kev776]

We will ****ing do em big style, time to make a statement.

[SB]

I'd take a draw all things considered.

[kev776]

We can't go for a draw, these are MUST win games to break into the top 4 and blow them all away.

[SB]

We can't go for a draw, these are MUST win games to break into the top 4 and blow them all away.

Stoke away is always a tricky match & im sure some of the top 4 will drop points there. Considering some of our stars haven't trained with the rest of the squad yet I'd say a draw will be acceptable.

[Exiled_red]

It's a tricky game and given our result and performance last season it is the ideal way to make the statement that this year is different, if we can put in a good performance and get a good result, a poor result and performance will just say nothing has changed, and could knock confidence going into some bigger games.