Stoke (A): Build Up

[Fosterbloke]

Benteke will start i'm sure of it.

Mig
Clyne-Skrtel-Lovren-Gomez
Hendo-Milner
Ibe-Phil-Lallana
Big Chris

That would be good as a christmas tree formation -

----------------Benteke
------------Lallana---Ibe
--Henderson--Coutinho--Milner
Moreno---Lovren---Skrtel---Clyne
----------------Mignolet

[Chris]

Ben Dinnery @BenDinnery 2h2 hours ago

Hughes "Shawcross will see a specialist. Hopefully we can get more info. He hasn't had much game time & he's been struggling to train" #SCFC

That would be great if he's out, he's pretty much a one man defence. Nzonzi gone too and Begovic allbeit the latter was dreadful for long spells last season.

[Chazza]

Cue the Jack Butland goalkeeping masterclass.

[Shaggy]

Great news that, though it will be negated a bit if we pick that Croatian clown.

[Alex]

Can understand Coutinho and Firmino being a bit undercooked. But Benteke has been on Preseason with Villa hasn't he? He didnt start his training for this season when he got to us?

I can get that he might not be up to speed with Rodgers tactics or whatever, but to say he isnt 100% doesnt seem right.

[RedRum]

A lopsided diamond/4-1-2-3 is how I'd go

---------Mignolet
Clyne-- Skrtel--Sakho--Gomez
-----------Lucas
------Hendo----Milner
-Ibe-----Benteke---Coutinho

But I reckon Ings will actually start the game myself.

[Phoenix07]

James Pearce@JamesPearceEcho

Anthony Taylor, who also reffed the 6-1 back in May, will take charge of #SCFC v #LFC at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.

[Rigadon]

A lopsided diamond/4-1-2-3 is how I'd go

---------Mignolet
Clyne-- Skrtel--Sakho--Gomez
-----------Lucas
------Hendo----Milner
-Ibe-----Benteke---Coutinho

Like this team. Ings, Lallana and Firmino - great bench

[The Birdman]

Cue the Jack Butland goalkeeping masterclass.

He isn't the best dealing with back passes or using his feet generally.
That's the main reason non of the bigger teams have gone for him. Has everything else to be a very good keeper.

[Shaggy]

Anthony Taylor again. Actual genuine bona-fide Manc Anthony Taylor. Joke.

[RedReet]

He isn't the best dealing with back passes or using his feet generally.
That's the main reason non of the bigger teams have gone for him. Has everything else to be a very good keeper.

I thought we were all in for him but he turned us down?



Oh wait, you're talking about big teams.

[Liverpool]

Anthony Taylor again. Actual genuine bona-fide Manc Anthony Taylor. Joke.

lets say he supports who he says he does most supporters of non league/lower league have a prem team as well. How are refs allowed not to declare an interest in any team in the top flight I could understand exemptions such as historically big clubs that have fell down the ladder. Altrincham

[G]

The top european leagues should be using top european refs. A roster of refs from each country and they can ref any game in any country at any time. The leagues can afford to pay them.

[Shaggy]

Ben Dinnery @BenDinnery
It looks increasingly likely that #SCFC skipper Shawcross will miss out this weekend as he continues to battle a persistent back problem

[baronvonskidmark]

Cool. Hopefully Lovren will miss out as well.