From one derby to another. This one I suppose not quite so big but probably a game about big players. Physically. Rory Delap's thow ins will be coming from all areas, just like Greg Halford's. They have their big players, like Beattie, Fuller and Faye. But Christophe Berra has proved a menace at dead balls, often positioning himself where the ball is being aimed. He set up Kevin Doyle's goal at a throw in (our only success at throw ins) and set up a goal against Sunderland. I hope it's not a game of who can throw the furthest, as we can ply some good stuff. Credit to Stoke though, their style may not be pretty but what do they care if they succeed?Tony Pulis is in his second spell at the Brittania, and has fast become a legend there. He's built his team well and this season made some very good signings. He has bought Huth and Tuncay from Boro. Huth has won the premier league with Chelski and Tuncay has shown he can do it in the recent European championships. And what a signing James Beattie was, his goals after joining from Sheffield United in January were crucial.
Something we will need to match is our chanting. Stoke are known for their noisyness (a word?) and are very intimidating. I often wondered last season whether they will ever move stadiums if they kept improving. We need some points from this game (our next two being Arsenal and Chelsea) to keep us out of the bottom three, somewhere we have not been in this season.
I reckon Mick will want us to try and play our way out of this game, but if trailing he will probably bring on his trademark substitution, a big centre forward.
I reckon the team will go like this:
Hennessey
Zubar
Berra
Craddock
Elokobi
Kightly
Henry
Castillo
Edwards/Halford
Ebanks-Blake
Doyle.
Hopefully SEB/Doyle ca get us something out of this game. 1-1.
I don't think Kightly should be picked! his performances have been dire and he hasn't looked like the player he once was.
ReplyDeleteHe's obviously not fully match fit but I guess there's only one to rectify that. Personally, I'd like to see Jarvis back in but I suspect Mick will stick with a less attacking midfielder (Halford or Castillo). Looking at the next few fixtures this game is seriously crucial!
ReplyDeleteThis game is absolutely crucial with those horrible next two games. Kightly hasn't been bad, he's just been less confident or not so positive on the ball. He will get bteer as he get's fitter, as I think SEB has. Kites needs Jarvis aswell but I reckon Edwards will start today.
ReplyDeleteI think Castilllo and Henry's partnership needs to be strong again, they need to break up this game and get it on the floor.