A draw should see us back in the top half (can't see Palace winning at Everton). 0-0 with another clean sheet and a strong defensive display would be just fine.
This will be a test for Monk, and by his interviews he's looking forward to it, great to see Rodgers and Martinez with their support of him!..............
Tell that to the writer of the article ha ha. Like your optimism, but we don't tend to do well against physical teams away. I'd say we have a good chance if we had bony, Michu and Shelvey on at the same time to give us that extra muscle, but with only bony being a big physical presence I think we may struggle. Hopefully I'm wrong, it's just I don't feel optimistic about this one. 1-1 my prediction
I'm always overly optimistic after a win, especially when we've played decently but this time it's different. If we play the same high tempo pressing game and impose our game on them instead of worrying more about them imposing themselves on us then we can win. The defence looked more organised last time out too. Their home record's good but we're not playing the stats! I think we're a better team, with renewed confidence and belief. I'm going for a 0 - 2.
My hope is that the change of manager and the win against Cardiff has been a huge turning point and we will go on to win. However the stats don't make optimistic reading for us : Stoke have lost just once at home in the last 9 matches. We haven't won away in our last 6 and only scored 2 goals in that time. Bony hasn't scored an away goal in the league yet either. Let's hope the stats mean nothing because of the changes our club has made huh ?
Lush weather again it's a good sign IMO just like the weekend. What's it like in Stoke? Swans win = 9/5. Draw = 9/4
Like the leader says if they're constantly able to put good balls into Crouch there's not much you can do about it. So let's play the game in their half of the field and give their defence even more to think about.
At least they understand how the club currently works unlike John Toshack. If he knew the board, Monk or just kept up with the tabloids he wouldn't had been so 'shocked'.
Tough test for Monk and the new philosophy. If we get a draw, that will be a good result for GM and put him and the lads in good heart for the fixtures to come.
I believe Stoke have the highest ground above sea level of all the Premier League clubs. They also have four corners open which allows the wind to swirl around. And this evening looks as though it is going to be very windy. This could be to Swans benefit by keeping the ball on the floor and passing well. On the other hand there could be freak goals caused by gusts of winds . . .
Sounds like a job for Bony + Emnes. To be honest after the weekend who knows what team we'll go with. As long as GM runs on to take the freekicks + corners we should be fine.
Maybe a change of mindset and/or tactics is required? It's not just losing games we were extremely poor in many of those 'performances'.
It's going to be a wet and VERY windy night in Stoke-on Trent. Not conditions we like and I suspect we will lose. Regrettably, Stoke 2 Swansea 0.
Yes conditions look to be awful especially at that ground! Vorm needs to keep an eye open for the Stoke goalie having a try from his own box
It was blowing a gale Saturday but not a constant , and fair play the lads played as if it was a summer day (not quite but the way it's going it could be come the norm ) I thought we played with the wind v Carduff 1st half ,maybe thats why some balls seemed to be overhit ? and payed into the poor conditions the 2nd which didn't seem to make a lot of difference .
