No worries Pool fans.. I've had a word in Crouch's ear, he's promised to Score for Stoke as he usually scored against us... A hatrick by Crouch, followed by an amazing finish in the 93rd minute by Charlie Adam, SIX bookings, two stonewall pens for either side not given.. some terrible defending... Sorted
Only 3 days to go until we're back into the games. Charlie Adam was supposedly injured whilst on international duty, although we haven't heard anything yet so I'd say no news is good news for us. It was more than likely a ploy to get out of playing too much. If he doesn't play, then it's not too bad we can use Spearing or Shelvey in that role. Perhaps even Coady... I would like to see Coates get some game time, it's always the same that I want to see what our new signings can do and if he lives up to his height then we should have a superb player on our hands. I'd also like to see Bellamy play with Carroll, takes us back to the days when we had Crouch and Bellamy up front except with someone hopefully better than Crouch on the end. Suarez and Kuyt is also too good a partnership to break up sometimes, and I'd like to see them start.
bellamy was supsended yesterday so he should be in a good place to play for us. Suarez and coates were on international duty though. Henderson, bellamy, carragher are the freshest players we will have for this one. Reina played some part for spain but he'll be fine. We'll have to wiat and see who plays right back, johnson and kelly and injured/ returning.... skertl played for slovakia but flanagan is very young to get stoke thrown at him... he'd love it though. we'll get a better idea on thursday when kenny holds his press conference.
If Adam is injured: ------------Reina Jonno--Carra--Agger--Enrique -----------Spucas Hendo-----------------Downing ---------Kuyt--Saurez Subs: Doni, Skrtel, Coates, Maxi, Shelvey, Carroll, Bellamy or ------------Reina Jonno--Carra--Agger--Enrique -----------Lucas Kuyt-----------------Hendo --Downing--Carroll--Saurez Subs: Doni, Skrtel, Coates, Maxi, Shelvey, Spearing, Bellamy
Quite like that, plenty of width. Does Hendo play on the left? otherwise we can swap Hendo Kuyt and Downing around so that Henderson is on the right and Kuyt is up front. Only worries are the weakness in central midfield with only lucas (but I supposse stoke boycott that anyway, and Henderson and downing like to cut inside ), and whether Suarez will be as effective on the left instead of in the centre
We don't completely boycott the midfield, I'll have you know! We do, on occasion, bypass it when we have the ball. But you'll find that the ball is often in our midfield, just not usually in our possession! Hopefully, if Palacios plays, we wont be direct quite as much. It's a frustration of quite a few Stoke fans that we don't play it on the floor as much as we could, but the players are probably just following orders from Uncle Tone, who does tend to get his tactics right at home. I'm looking forward to seeing how we play on Saturday and I hope the atmosphere is as good as last season - the hairs were standing up on the back of my neck on occasion - it was fantastic.
Difficult game to call this weekend. It will be interesting to see what side Pulis selects, assuming both Crouch and Palacios play. It will be a full house at the Brit and I expect the atmosphere to be electric especially with the new faces on show. I think Stoke, with home advantage, could win but I doubt it will be as easy as the home game last season. I watched Liverpool tear Bolton apart last weekend ( mind you, so did we at Wembley!) and were very impressive. Should be a cracking game
I won't be there this weekend (Daugther's wedding day) But, it is a totally different Liverpool, player's/attitude and Manager are all so different. They have started really well re Bolton.. and it's a tough game for us (Stoke).. that said I still think it could go either way.. If we Stoke, play well and with Crouch/Palacios who, should be starting, our fans well up for it.. who knows what result come 5:45 on Saturday. Just SORRY I can not be there... first home game for at least 7 years I've missed out on..
This is a game I personally don't look forward to as historically there have been some dodgy reffing decisions and some pretty jammy luck. Remember the 2008/09 decision where the ref disallowed a perfect goal by Liverpool only for stoke to go on and defend gallantly and earn a point. The return leg was no better where there was intense media scrutiny after Rafa had put Fergie in his place. Gerrard had an effort come within inches of winning the game during the last minute. Who remember the shambles that was our 2 nil loss to stoke last season? That aside I am hoping for some good luck this time around. We are yet to record a league victory at Stoke since they came back and I believe we are due some 3 points there. Anyway here is to a good game and a good ref and a win for Liverpool.
so it seems we've just about the full deck to choose from. I think this will mean a pretty standard 4-2-3-1 again unless dalglish feels he can get smart with the selection to combat stoke aerially. my prediction such as it is is; Reina Jonhnson Carragher Agger Enrique Lucas adam Henderson Suarez Downing Carroll kuyt to be on the bench as henderson should be fitter after his few days rest. Carroll to add defensive bulk if nothing else and he's also fresh. I'd like to say kelly but hamstring injury is risky but he'd be a better bet for this game IMO. Overall I think any win no matter how its gotten would be good, i think its as good a time as any to go to stoke if they are feeling their way into integrating new players. I'd rather now than 2 months form now! i like the venue, i like the fans attitudes (they don't just sing offensive songs like the midland clubs) I think they are going to be pushing for top 6 rather than the likes of fulham and AS ALWAYS SUAREZ WILL BE THE KEY. I get the feeling every match thread i will post the same comment
I can see this, Kuyt will pobably be rested and Maxi could come on for Downing if Kenny feels he needs a rest.
