Also, in Rafa Benitez's column in The Independent, he says that Adam Lallana is one of his five stand-outs of the season, alongside Rickie.
I will back Clyne against almost all players in the league, but Arnautovic does worry me. Nat can match his speed and technical ability, but Arnautovic is about a foot taller than him, that's going to cause him problems at times even if he's at his very best.
I like "Jimi" for JWP. It's fitting for his talent (yeah, bring it rabbitspectrum). Hopefully he won't join the 27 Club though.
On the OS there is an interview with Rickie entitled 'Lambert sees more to come'. It's dated December 1st 2013 - I knew Rickie was good, but now he's cracked time travel
Ok I admit that I had barely heard of this guy before all of you said that he was quite dangerous. He might be able to beat Clyne in the air but I'm not going to stay awake tonight worrying about that, I'm just picturing a load of 60 yard diagonal balls coming off him into midfield. Clyne is really good. Besides we are so much about cutting the threat out at source that he shouldn't get too many of those in good positions. If someone said they had a quality passing midfielder and two full backs who can find space in our half then fair enough. On the other hand, Begovic is a better than 17th place goalkeeper and Shawcross/Huth have been around enough to know what to do with Lambert and Osvaldo. But they aren't that good, so I still think we will win.
I watched Arnautovic a lot last season as my second team are Werder Bremen. I wouldn't be to worried he is so inconsistent, hot headed with a few occasional moments of pure genius. I can't say I've seen much of him since he has joined stoke apart from that cracking free kick against manure. If clyne frustrates and rattles him early can't see it him causing to much of a problem.
But, he has been Stokes best player thus far, so he is a worry. If we can contain him, we'll do just fine.
Mark Hughes: "In terms of individual quality, I don't think there is much difference between #SCFC and #Saintsfc." Discuss.
Don't know the Stoke players, so he could be right. I've always thought that our strength is as a team.
Stoke's players are Championship quality, but they are good as a unit and their direct style was effective. Hughes' more passing style may explain their poor start.
Well, just going by last match lineups, and on an individual basis, I'd say; Boruc < Begovic Clyne > Cameron Fonte < Shawcross Lovren > Huth Shaw > Pieters Wanyama > Palacios Ward-Prowse Schneiderlin > N'Zonzi Lambert > Crouch Rodriguez > Ireland Lallana > Arnautovic Obviously all subjective and changes depending on who matches up to whom, but I think we have much more quality in the team.
My opinion of that comment is that it couldn't be more wrong to be honest. Really hope we hammer them now!
