One to look forward to, we will have to put out a full strength team if we are to have a chance of winning at the Brittania. What are your thoughts on the draw?
Theres no doubt we'll put more importance on the game than Stoke,they are in Europe and looking good for a top 5 fight to the finish(they gave the mancs a game yesterday),plus theres the FA Cup yet to come. Kenny will play a full strength team on the night and i expect a win.
Watched the Stoke - Man U game in the pub after the game today, was impressed by Stoke. They gave Man U a better game than they did us, they attacked more and didn't sit back as much. I take it was because they never took the lead, I also wonder how much difference the pitch size made to their performance...I noticed it was bigger than when they played us.
I watched it meself,and the commentator said Stoke have to widen the pitch even more for Uefa regulations before their Europa game. And funnily enough their pitch was like a bowling green against the mancs as opposed to a local park against us.
The pitch is green, it's grass, it's perfectly playable, it's legal, it's flat, well almost. Bring you best team and give it another shot fella's.. And we actually outplayed Utd at times today. Don't think T.P. will play our best side but whoever plays, we will attack if we can. Today, we went for it from the start. I missed the game v Liverpool my daughter's wedding day.. you battered us by all accounts then, but looking forward to the Cup game.
Page Moss Kopite.. Suffering from a hangover and insomnia hence the time of this post.. Really pleased with the lads today, I think T.P. out thought Fergie and not too many managers do that. I think that with Utd taking the lead it gave us the impetus to go for it as someone above said... bad goal for us too concede we just stood off Nani and you can't do that against any top players... After that, we pressed and IF ONLY ? Crouch should really have scored two more.. I'm actually dissapointed we didn't win in honesty. NEVER thought I would ever say that playing v Utd.. and, I do not rate Ferdinand, never have done.. today he looked clueless at times all over the place. And, as for pen's today.. Pennant was pushed in the back 2nd half or was I seeing things? Saw it live and have not seen a re- play yet? Looking forward to the L/Cup game but we've a few tough games before then.. Well done today v Wolves sounds like it wasn't straight forward but, a win is a win is a ... Good luck for the rest until you play us of course!
I wasn't having a go or anything when I mentioned the pitch mate. Was just commenting on whether it had an impact in your style of play. IMO you looked far better against Utd than you did against us in an attacking sense. To come back from the Sunderland game and perform like that against Utd you should be proud of your team, unlike other teams (Bolton to name one) who have just keeled over for Utd so far you guys showed grit and determination and could have easily grabbed all 3 points.
Firstly I don't know what the commotion is over that penalty. It was never a penalty. Only Howard Webb at OT would give a hand-ball for that. It was never a hand-ball. Now we have Baconface attacking Crouch. Crouch imposed himself, whats wrong with that. I suppose according to Slur Senile its okay when Shrek does it. Thats the 5th whine he's had this season, thank god nobody is taking any notice of the senile arrogant fool.
Ferguson is gettiing like Wenger, if things dont go your way attack the oppositions players, tactics etc. Hows about saying this instead fergie "Stoke played really well, worked their balls off and could easily have won it". Yesterday we were brilliand and thoroughly deserved a draw atleast. You drew with us so take it like a man Ferguson!.
Ricc full. Fair play to you. You did something onlly West Brom have done this season and that is press their central midfield, and guess what they didn't like it. You're a far better side than West Brom and thats a fact and thats why you got a draw and with more luck would have won. Their central midfield is extemely poor and the way to beat them is to press it as they don't like it, another way is to put in an extra body in there, they hate it,
I reckon we'll play a team like this: Sorensen Shotton-Huth-Upson-Wilson Pennant-Whitehead-Palacios-Etherington Jones Jerome
Winning this competition could get the fire in the bellies of the lads to win more cups. Apart from Suarez, Coates and Reina it's been a long time since some of our squad got their hands on some silverware, and getting their hands on it could make them want to get more. KD has already stated his desire to take this cup competition seriously so i'd expect a team like this: ----------------------------Reina------------------------------------- -Kelly----------Coates-------------Carragher(Wilson?)--Enrique-- -Henderson----Lucas--------------Spearing-------------Bellamy-- ----------------Suarez-------------Carroll-------------------------- Subs: Doni, Carragher, Gerrard, Adam, Downing, Maxi, Kuyt Or he might even use the tie as the first time to give Stevie a full 90 minute run out, who knows?
Aside from that collapse v Sunderland - a classic European hangover - Stoke are undefeated in all competitions having played us, United, Spurs, Chelsea and a variety of European opponents. They've got one of the best defences in the league and a great squad with a mix of attacking threats with pace, height, strength and terrific set pieces. They proved last year how good they can be in a cup competition and they've already beaten Spurs this year. They're going to be a really tough prospect and the league cup this year is survival of the hardest to beat. I'd hope Kenny treats this game as seriously as the one against United, frankly.
