please log in to view this image Saturday 7th April 3pm Premier League Britannia Stadium The Stamford Bridge Hoodoo has gone the way of the Wembley Curse and Harry Kane's back from injury. Now we face a side that we've beaten on four consecutive occasions by four clear goals. It's all looking good, so naturally we should all be bricking it and expecting things to go wrong. Our top four hopes would be boosted by another win, while Stoke's survival could depend on preventing it. The end of the season's in sight, but the meaningful games keep arriving constantly. It's Stoke's 10th season in the Premier League and expectations had risen amongst their fans. Mark Hughes had built upon the solid foundations set by Tony Pulis and had achieved three 9th place finishes. The fourth campaign wobbled at the end though, consigning them to 13th and some glances at the relegation battle. Kevin Wimmer and Kurt Zouma were brought in to solidify a creaky defence and Bruno Martins Indi's loan was made permanent. Darren Fletcher's experience was added to the midfield, while Choupo-Moting and Jese added firepower. It did not go to plan. The graft and grit of Whelan and Walters wasn't replaced. The old Stoke's identity had gone. Signings like Bojan and Arnautovic were hailed as their new way, but they also left in the summer. Mark Hughes stumbled and staggered through the campaign, clinging onto his job with increasingly rare wins. The dreaded midweek trip to what was now the Bet365 stadium seemed to hold little fear. An embarrassing FA Cup exit to League 2 Coventry in January was enough and Sparky was sparked out. 12 years of Welsh reign was at an end and the board's eyes looked north to Scotland. Paul Lambert was installed, having been out of work since Wolves let him go at the end of last season. His first match was a 2-0 victory at home over Huddersfield, lifting hopes of his success and their survival. It has been his only win so far though, as they've drawn four and lost four heading into this fixture. They need 13 points from 6 games to hit the magical 40 mark. It's now or never. Last season's match at the Britannia saw the hosts starting fairly well and looking quite solid. Chances were at a premium until Marco Arnautovic was booked for diving and Mark Hughes had a meltdown. The manager was sent to the stands and his side's fight seemed to go with him. Heung-Min Son put us ahead just before the break, then extended the lead after it. Dele Alli quickly added a third to put the game to bed before Harry Kane got our 4th to put a familiar ring to the scoreline: The game at Wembley at December was very one sided, as we faced a team devoid of confidence or guile. We took the lead via a Shawcross own goal and some very wasteful finishing ensured that it stayed 1-0 at half-time. Son added a second early on in the second half, before a Kane double brought us up to 4-0, again. Eriksen made it five before Shawcross took advantage of a Lloris mistake and pulled one back. The away fans still had their sense of humour, as chants of "5-0 and you ****ed it up" greeted the 5-1 result: No injury news yet, but it appears that Harry Winks may be our only absence. Stafylidis and Choupo-Moting are out for Stoke, while Diouf and Zouma are doubts. Charlie Adam serves the second match of his ban for violent conduct, so he'll also be out. The prick. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Son. Subs: Vorm, Aurier, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Moura, Kane. League form: DWWWWW. Stoke: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Bauer, Allen, Ndiaye, Sobhi; Diouf, Shaqiri. Subs: Haugaard, Cameron, Ireland, Sorenson, Berahino, Crouch, Campbell. League form: DDLLLL. Referee: Scott Graham. TV: Not televised. Would you start Alderweireld and Kane for this one if they're fit and if so, who would you replace? Should we continue to rotate our fullbacks or stick with the two that started at Stamford Bridge? Do Wanyama, Sissoko, Moura, Walker-Peters or Llorente deserve a start or even a place on the bench?
Where have I heard something similar recently? This game is so set up for a Spurs fall from grace from the heights of last Sunday. Stoke staring at relegation, missing several players - us on a great winning run, playing beautiful football. What could possibly go wrong?
He's two years younger than Michel Vorm and a year younger than Fernando Llorente. He looks like he could be their dad's uglier, older, adopted brother.
Let me just check the Internet Rules that say whether or not I can explain Vorm with the phrase "Black don't crack" ... ... ... ... ...yup, allowed, but only if I supplement the phrase with visual proof that, a little salt & pepper aside, Ernie Hudson hasn't aged a day since he was in Ghostbusters please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Yes, and what's sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. When I've been to Scotland, the English jibes are pretty non-stop...and a great deal of them are said, at least partially, in jest and treated as such [even when, maybe, they aren't?]. Weirdly, I think the 2 nations define each other. The English character rises in response to the Scottish one and vice versa. It's the same in France. I'm more English in those countries than I am anywhere else in the world. In the same way, I become more of a Londoner the further north that I travel in this country. Northerners aren't really themselves unless they've got a Londoner to have a go at. Alright, Geezer?
Yes with a certain type of Scot I hear the anti English banter it's very like the football banter between supporters of rival teams. With a few it's nasty. When I first arrived in my village I was greeted at the pub with 'Not another English bastard' but at the same time welcomed to the village.
Looks like Saido Berahino won't feature in this one, as he's been banished from the first team for no-showing an U23 game. I'm sure Jeremy Peace is happy with himself for killing Berahino's enthusiasm for the sport in a sad attempt at one upmanship that cost him millions and made him look like an utter moron in the process.
Really ****ing hate these ****ers, of all Spurs fans I genuinely believe I’ve enjoyed our last four games against them more than anyone. Really hope we do all we can to cement their relegation and get them the **** out of this league. Hugo Tripps, Dave, Jan, David’s Dier, Dembele Lamela, Eriksen, Dele, Son (False 9 style) Vorm, Aurier, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lucas, Kane Same team as Chelsea. No need to rush Harry back into the XI, we’ve hit 10 goals since his injury and return from the bench.
I know every one is anti DOF nowadays, but I was going through the Vids on my phone at lunch time (yes: to delete anything I'd rather the trouble didn't see when I make it home) and I came across the DOF volley against the goons many years back. If I knew how to upload it I would, but I'm too old for all of that (I)rritating (T)echnology stuff. Still makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up though. Always best to remember the good times.
