I've been reading few reviews and all seem to point towards Stoke playing a 5 man midfield on Saturday, given that they are normally a Physical team, does any believe that MH will actually try to counter this by putting another man in the centre this weekend ? Seeing as we couldn't handle the aerial threat last Sunday how do you think we should counter act the even greater threat of Stokes aerial fire power ? After watching us play, I imagine Pulis would have been working on set pieces this week they will be scary with there physicality and height.
If go again 4-4-2 on a 4-5-1 formation we're doomed. Again. I just hope Hughes is not as stubborn as he seems to be
He'll play Faurlin in the 3. He's not stupid and will have heard and seen the responses from so many, he will also know this may be his last chance for Premiership management. He's been found out and will at least know that the pressure from the fans will be much less if he appeases with personnel and formation. If, and it's still an if he plays the right personnel and formation - WE WIN TOMORROW, the uplift that will give the club will be immense akin to the Lineker hatrick for England against Poland in 86. Come on you rrrs and come on Hughes - What have you got to lose?
He is stupid and I doubt very much he will do that, we will probably be outnumbered in midfield again and be stuck without Faurlins aerial power. At least Delap is out. If we played the right personnel and formation, wed have had 5 wins by now but Hughes consistently gets both wrong which is why we are losing and why he should go.
I wrote on another thread that Derry should be recalled for the Stoke game - bit of extra steel in CM wouldn't go amiss.
MH has been reluctant to play 3 cm up to now while most of us on here have been screaming out for it, I was just hoping that he might change his mind with Stoke, especially with the style they play, after all he is supposed to employee the analytical approach.
That's because you are in Australia and didn't see their dismal performances against us last season. Truly shocking lack of inventiveness for a PL side. To answer the OP's question: we must go man to man at set pieces, none of this zonal malarcky. I like the idea of Derry playing BTW.
really, I thought Stoke played some lovely 1 touch footy last year and on the floor they are quite good. Crouchie is actually a great player with the ball at his feet as is Huth et al.... They have been in the prem for a few years now and are an established prem side, dont really see how anyone can doubt thier credentials.... We amy have beaten them last year but was what thier final position? and the year before, and before that and......?
I think I'm right in saying that Stoke play an extra man in midfield this season. Hughes should play this imo: --------------------Cesar-------------------- Dyer------------Nelsen-----Hill---------Traore -------------Diakite------Faurlin-------------- Mackie-------------Granero-----------Taarabt ------------------Cisse---------------------- I think he'll play this: ---------------------Cesar------------------- Bosingwa--------Nelsen---Ferdinand----Traore --------------------Diakite------------------- Mackie-----------Granero-------------Taarabt ----------------Cisse------------------------
No wonder we lose all the time only playing 10 men! I would go for your team but with Bos in for Dyer, its too early to start him.
Are we saying then that we leavve BZ out against a big physical side like Stoke. Surely his pressence at corners / free kick etc would be helpfull.? Much prefer Cisse...but....?
Dopey, Sneezy or any of the other 5 have a better chance of winning a header than BZ on current form.
Bare in mind Stoke's big weaknesses are out wide; both full backs are pretty poor, I definitely think Hoilett needs to be on the wing with his pace, possibly even pushing Traore up to left mid if Fabio is fit. If I recall correctly from last year away at Stoke at least 2 of our goals came from out wide?
Seems Like it !!!! I'm guessing thats Jnr or Zamo missing from Col . Looks good to me, though I may not start Dyer, ease him in gently or take him off early.
Zamoras hip is screwed, he litterally cannot get off the ground but that wont stop our back line pumping high balls to him, at least they will try to play it into Cisses feet. A fully fit Zamora would have got no change out of Shawcross and Huth anyway. A CB partnering Id kill for right now.
I hope you are right about playing it to feet. Trouble is I can't see it. Warnock did last season and it worked wonders. I know it sounds bizzarre but I would put Cisse up front and bring in Clint Hill for Anton Ferdinand. At least he will challenge for the ball and win some headers. Hill and Nelsen are our best CB pairing in the absence of MBia.
