I had almost completely forgotten that we're playing Stoke in the League Cup tomorrow! Whilst they're not the sexiest of Premier League sides, it's nice to play a top flight team and hopefully give them a good game. They play against Chelsea on Saturday, so whilst Mark Hughes has come out with the usual 'we'll field a strong side' bluster, I'm sure he'll make quite a few changes, so I expect to see Crouch play some part (Flint's an obvious candidate to man mark him), and probably Berahino - maybe as a front two, which could be good for us, as I think we're capable of controlling the midfield if they try to play 4-4-2. ...Bad news is that Kurt Zouma is almost certain to play, as he will be ineligible to play Chelsea - he's genuinely excellent more often than not, so it will be hard to get past him. Rumours are that Shawcross won't be risked though and Lee Grant might be given a start in place of Butland in goal. I'm not sure if I'm expecting much, but I thoroughly enjoyed us knocking out Watford, so am grateful for the Brucie-Bonus of another game to tide us over until the weekend. We won't realistically win the Cup, but it would be nice to see us in the hat along with some of the biggest sides - the thought of a tie with either Manchester club or a Chelsea, Tottenham or Arsenal is exciting, even if it is 'only' the League Cup. The odds will be against us, so it's likely moot, but we didn't expect to get past the last round either...
Nick we can win this on our own patch,especially the way we are playing. Looking forward to the game.
Definitely possible - on their forum there's the typical 'they only finished 17th last season - our reserves should beat them' attitude. Hopefully their players are equally arrogant. Seems as though they like to use the in-trend 3-4-3 formation, so could be an opportunity to exploit space down the wings. If LJ is comfortable giving Leko game time, he could relish the opportunity - I'd like to see Eliasson again too.
stoke is 1 team that will want to go all the way, its the only real chance they might ever get of silverware, not likely to win prem, real outside chance of maybe Europe, depending on draws FA cup unlikely
I was listening to their fans a while back,they think they should be doing better than what they are currently doing on talksport, i was coming back from a away game. Christ considering their size they should be chuffed to bits.
In some ways, with the personnel they have, Stoke ought to be competing for a Europa League spot, but I agree that maybe they're being fanciful if they expect a large improvement on the level they're at now. Bar a Leicester City style miracle, they are pushing at what I would consider their metaphorical glass ceiling, and those are notoriously hard to break through. I suppose the one problem with making it into the Premier League is that the best you can realistically hope for is to be amongst the 'best of the rest', because the very biggest teams essentially have the top 4,5 maybe 6 spots sewn up. On that basis, johngalley is right; they ought to take both the League Cup and FA Cups very seriously, because where's the prestige in finishing 9th, instead of 13th if it that also means a trophy or two in the cabinet? It's only if they make a truly dreadful start in the League that relegation becomes a significant risk that they shouldn't give all they can in the Cups.
reid and fam up front eliasson and from smith pack o dowda brownhill patterson wright flint baker bryan subs to include Taylor, Maggers, 2 of above, steele 2 younger members
As I put elsewhere a couple of weeks ago, Stoke will be up for this one, especially with some of the big boys already having been knocked out. Teams like Stoke that are left in the LC will fancy their chances of going quite a way in the competition.
I think you are right JGF - they really want this cup: http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/271698/bristol-city-stoke
That's where I've been lurking! More of them seem to be a bit concerned by us, despite having next to no idea who any of our players are or how we play.
If we play at the level we did against a rated team like Derby County then I think we are in with a shout. Win or lose this one doesn't really matter in the overall scheme of things but will be a test of our mettle and will be a good indicator of our overall being. I'm not sure whether the live feed will be on because certain matches are not included but to be pro-active I'll get the valves warmed up beforehand. I wonder who we might play in the next round (that's me being positive)?
Pretty much my thinking. If anything, you'd think highlights for the League Cup would be easier to find than league games, but not sure how it is for those with bcfc player.
They'll say he nullifies Crouch, so bring on Berahino, mark my word. Seems like we're on top in the early stages.
I don't know what's going on right now but we are sensational, Diedhiou, Pack and Hegeler class, Steele looked good in goal, O'Dowda worked his socks off, ran into spaces all game, quality display overall, onto the next round
