United is flying at the moment. Even when we are not playing that well the goals are going in. the Chelsea match was a strange one in that even at 3-0 we are not in control and at 3-1 I sensed that the chavs were going to come back and were it not for THAT horrendous miss, they would have got at least a draw IMO. So I think we can score anywhere and in any ground. And win even when not playing very well. I am thinking of putting £500 on United at 8-15. What do you think? I think this is a no brainer...
Chico didnt get his 4th goal for us against chelsea,how about getting his 4th and maybe even 5th against Stoke <smiley>
Stoke is a great test for us, as evidenced already against some good sides, they are a juggernaut. If we can go 4-0 against a rugby team that says a lot about our squad's physicality. Though I doubt it'll be that easy. Look for Huth to take out at least 1 of our best players for 2-4 weeks. I like what Pulis has done for them, just not while we have to play them. DeLaps long throws will test Evans/Jones, they need the experience. I think we take it 2-1.
Stoke are usually a hard team to compete against. However they look a little jaded after their extra games in Europe. Lets hoping our pace and movement up front can tear them apart.
This. They've looked tired after playing in Europe and just got stomped 4-0 by a struggling Sunderland. They also went to penalties midweek, and I'm positive that has taken a toll on them. On the other hand they're always an extremely tough team to beat, and I'm sure they'll be looking to bounce back. They've also gotten a point off Chelsea and all 3 off Liverpool this season. Regardless I'm still confident of a win, but it won't be a blow out like it was at Bolton. 2-0, Rooney and Nani. Who do you guys think will start up top with Rooney? Chicharito got hurt last week, but was apparently returning to training yesterday, Welbeck got 30 minutes against Leeds, while I was impressed by both Berbatov, who pulled all of our strings, and Owen who obviously scored 2 goals and showed he wants more playing time. If fit I would opt for Chicharito, he did extremely well against them last year, Stoke seems to have trouble trying to keep track of his movements.
They can be an enigma, but what I want to see taken out of this match is our defence dealing with their physicality. This is the kind of match you want Vidic in. Our pace up front and in the middle will cause them alot of trouble, just want to see us get a result without injuries!
Whichever way you look at it, I cannot see how stoke will cope with our frontline. It is just fanciful to think that their defence would be able to withstand the firepower which Fergie will deploy over 90 minutes if the goals are not coming...
We have an excellent record against Stoke. They've given us some hard games since their promotion - but we have always come out on top and got the win. If United go out and play as they can, I expect a victory. However, the loss of Hernandez is a blow, as this game would be tailor made for him.
I think we'll carry on as we have been, yes stoke are a well put together team, but they always have been and we've always come out on top. I think we'll do well, winning 3 or 4-0
It will be a decent test for the team but we should still win very easily. As others have said, Stoke players will be tired after their Carling cup tie against Spurs where they endured extra time and penalties so think that will take a toll on the team.
They will try to test the GK at every opportunity with long shots and long throws. And De Gea, Jones, Evans Evra will be unde pressure throughout. But I am confident we can outscore them. The first name I am looking out for in the teamsheet is...Hernandez
I wouldn't be surprised if de Gea makes a mistake today. But it's not the end of the world if he does, and we should still win comfortably.
That is one of the things i am worried about. I think Stoke will be a danger from corners and free kicks and will look to hound De Gea so hopefully he has another good performance in the net.
