I would be happy with Son as a stand in wing back if he held his position. He tends to play higher up than Kane ,who drifts deeper to allow him space .
Hopefully playing a strong team in the Europa does not affect us today, Stoke have had many more days rest and time to prepare for this game. Fingers crossed for a win but we`ve seen poor results in the past after Europa games, and playing an hour or so with 10 men will not have helped either. A vital 3 points here will get our league campaign back on track. COYS
What makes it worse is that we've pretty much played most of the first team for all three games prior to this, so if they all start again that'll be four matches in about ten days which could take a lot of stuffing out of them and affect us as the season progresses to the business stage. I wouldn't be overly surprised if Poch opted to rotate today, a rotated side may actually be the stronger one to pick as there'll be fresher legs. Really need three points though, plus I hate Stoke the most out of any non-London club so I really want the three points too.
I agree entirely. This game could be a lot tougher than we think. I wouldn't be surprised to see Son and Sissoko* start today, as well as a Winks. Seeing as Dele only managed a fraction of the game on Thursday, I think we could see him featuring too, with Eriksen rested. *
Can see us being turned over today. The players looked crushed at the end of the match at Wembley. Quite a few just sat on the grass for a couple of minutes when the final whistle blew. They also played 60 mins or so with 10 men which will have an effect on them today.
Zero rotation. Yikes. I agree this would be a good game for Winks and Son to get a start, at least. Well, COYS!
Stoke also unchanged: Even if our lack of rotation does work, we're going to need to make early substitutions to get fresh legs out there. I hope that our players are up to this, but I can't say that I really understand the decision.
Really disappointed that Dier is playing. He has been very poor in the past 5 or 6 weeks. Really nervous to see Charlie Adam starting. Wonder how many he'll hurt before he is subbed
I don't think I can remember a single time this season where I've looked at the team sheet and nodded in agreement. My standard face is now either: Or Or
Did really well as a holding midfielder last season, then lost his place to Wanyama. Played at centre-half when he's been used in this campaign and he's looked ok in a 3, but not in a 2. Hasn't been terrible as part of a pairing, but a big drop-off from Alderweireld or Vertonghen. Most are, though.
He was immense last season. He is a very good footballer and a top athlete. I think he is just too young to be relied on as the right CB, especially when Kyle needs a top defender covering his runs forward. Last year he played as a DM and with Toby and Jan behind him, he had that little bit more time and space to make mistakes and learn from them. Now he is the last line of defence and it shows.
We'd never get eleven players on the pitch at the moment, considering that same argument can be applied to a whole bunch of our players, especially Eriksen - and benching him means a possible Sissokoing...
Sounds like Stoke spent most of their week in Dubai preparing to play against us. Hope they haven't worked us out to well.... Mind you, there are a couple of versions of us currently so that may have confused them
But yes, Hodgson's Circus seriously ****ed up our lads. I've never seen a group of players look so utterly devoid of confidence and self belief in the space of a singlr summer.
