I think this was mentioned by Nines earlier but I don't think they will be as easy as many expect. Don't get me wrong I think you'll beat them but playing on tighter pitches suits them a great deal. Kenny - who I don't rate - might struggle a bit and it's a small area of concern. I agree in that this could be the hardest game of the three, nothing would be expected of you away to Chelsea and City and I feel you might thrive off the underdog especially as Chelsea have bigger games coming up and City might be out of the title race by then and a little deflated. I think they'll line up with Crouch and get Jerome feeding off the knock downs, it should be an interesting game
Kenny's weakest aspect is dealing with crosses, but our defense has vastly improved in this area since Hill started marshaling it. I think our team now is as about as strong as theirs, but our home form and the fact we are fighting for our lives should see us win. Who knows, by the end of the match we could be only 2 points behind them. (wishful thinking I know)
Who the hell is suggesting that Stoke match is going to be easy? It's gonna be a nerve wreckin match with Stoke throwin as many long balls to our penalty area as they could.
Agree with you Igor, haven't noticed any comments suggesting it will be an easy victory. Of course, it is our last and only home game left, and as we need 6+ points from our remaining games it's a no-brainer that we have to take 3 of them from that game. Where we get the other points from is pretty obvious too; 3 at Stamford Bridge and 1 at the Etihad; job done I reckon. Not looking for much, am I? Just goes to illustrate the mess we've gotten ourselves into by throwing away so many points in far 'easier' games this season.
Bolton and Blackburn will need to put a hell of a run together for us to need a further 6 points to stay in front of them imo. It's all an unknown I know and anything can happen at this stage of the season, but with our goal difference I think another 3 points may well be enough! (Mind you, I've been wrong before....just ask Dave!!)
Stoke are playing awful on their travels and i fully expect us to win.Of course it won't be easy it nver is with us,but with them mentally already on their holidays if we don't beat them we won't deserve to stay up!
In Sparky we trust! Look at the discipline and game plan against Tottenham (barring Adel's petulence compounded by Clattenberg's incompetence). That was just a dummy run for Stoke! Nothing is 100% in this game and esp at this stage. One game at a time.
Hoping and praying for the full 9 points from our remaining games - but expecting nothing. As such anything would be a bonus. Having said that, we've not seen anyone beat us when we've really got the bit between our teeth. Need to keep things ever tight at the back and maintain that sense of urgency in closing all opponents down and hitting them on the counter. In this Cisse could prove to be our ace card coming off the bench.
