I think we will go with the same tactic as last time and Play Coates for his height and Suarez and Kuyt for the work rate stopping Stoke sending long balls and hurrying defenders. ----------------Reina--------------- --Johnson---Carra-Coates-Agger---Enrique-- -----------------Lucas--------------- -----------Kuyt--Adam--Downing--------- ----------------Suarez---------------
Yeah i'd be happy with that Luv. We realy need to get three points. Johnson definately are weak area.
i could see that 5-man back 4 that you posted Luv really working. Especially with Coates in the side, he'd more-or-less dominate our box for us. Suarez last time simply had to much tricky and constant movement, add that to Kuyt's work rate, and Adam and Downing's service into Suarez, we should be fine
Really disagree with that about johnson, agreed he is not the best but he is just the victim of media highlighting a couple of errors.
I think with Jonno and Jose as wing backs would be formidable, we will have plenty of pace down the flanks. I can see Kenny using 3 CBs.
Agree with you on most things TT but not this. Johnson has had too many stinkers for it not to be highlighted, he looked nervous for a long long time after joining us and took way too long to settle. Good player but never been consistent enough defensively for my liking.
We should get three points but Stoke away are a good team so a point wouldn't be the end of the world.
Yes he made mistakes but this year in a team playing with confidence and playing the right kind of football I think we will see the best of him.
A good team Stoke who've strengthened well this summer as have we. Should be a good marker for us this one to see how we deal with what will be a very physical affair. A scrappy three points will suit me just fine
Yeah hope you're right, he definately has improved but if Kellys fit I think he's earned his starting place. If not then I'd be more than happy to see Johnson have a good game
I do like kelly but it seems that it has become fashionable again to knock johnson just so kelly can play cos he is young and a scouser.
If we want to finish in the top 4 i dont think we should be settling for a point, as a couple have mentioned. A win is all i would be happy with, but fear that with Stokes new signings (Crouch inparticular) could struggle. I say we get bellamy to break Delaps arm with, i dunno, a golf club?
CONFIDENCE REIGNS SUPREME That we'll actually get a response from the Stokies! If they do comment will it be in dialect? Can you translate "cos kick a bow a'gan a wo"?
To be fair i've been knocking Johnson since way before Kelly came through. Johnson has improved over the last twelve months but so he should have, if you get paid to be a full back the least you can do is have the ability to defend well surely. He's earned the criticism by not playing well enough...however he also deserves his share of praise for improving his game and not crying if he's on the bench or played out of position still work to do but if he comes back in and plays well regularly then that's fine by me
Only thing about 5 at the back is, we played 5 at the back away 2 Stoke last year,and they spanked us 2-0 In other news Gerrard has said in the Echo today he will be touch n go for Spurs but not involved v Stoke
Agreed about the formation plus I'm not sure Coates will play so soon after arriving. Am sure Kenny and Steve will be scheming as we chat so it'll be interesting to see what they think is the best way to get at Stoke Do we let them come at us and use pace on the counter-attack or do we just go at them from the off? Will he play big Andy up front to take a lot of the physical stuff that inevitabely gets dished out at The Britannia or will he try and use a bit of Suarez/Kuyt guile and movement to break them down?
I think the latter, but Stoke are quite good at defending on the ground also. If we do play Carroll then we really need to refine our service to the lad, that has been his biggest problem.
