Stoke (home) - 22.12.12

DubPerryman

We have a potential banana skin here. I think the match will be played out similarly to the Swansea match. The only problem is, Stoke have only conceded 13 goals while Swansea have conceded 22.

As with all these games where an opponent 'parks the bus' an early goal is vital for us!

They'll be without Pennant, Wilson, Delap and Owen - but have been without most these players for the majority of the season and only sit five points below us.

I think Kaboul and BAE are our only long-term injuries.

We need a win to maintain our momentum, but it's going to be hard fought.

My prediction 1-0.

COYS!

Kiith

I hate Stoke. They play horrible football, and are such a 'hoof' team. Granted, this is mostly on how they played last year, so maybe they've changed, but they were terrible to watch last season.

We should be good enough to win this though. 3-1 to us.

irishmover

Won two lost one and drew one at home v stoke.

Not a convincing record.

Leinstersqspur

DubPerryman wrote: »

They'll be without Pennant, Wilson, Delap and Owen - but have been without most these players for the majority of the season and only sit five points below us.

Adam out too on compasionate grounds. Sad news for him but Bale will sleep easier tonight.

As mentioned, an early goal is key, lets hope we get a fair rub of the green!

Hatch99

With Bale back, I fancy us to win, 2-1.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Bale, Defoe & Adebayor

Hatch99

THFC wrote: »

Lloris, Walker, Caulker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Sandro, Dembele, Lennon, Bale, Defoe & Adebayor

very happy with that side to combat stokes strengths, COYS

Emoran

Delighted Dawsons started... He deserves it, hopefully kicks him off for a good few games until Kaboul is back anyway.

COYS

MrKingsley

Really happy with that side. If the attitude of the players is right we easily have enough for the 3 points

davycc

nice strong line-up that..

is this on tv anywhere/???

coys

davycc

we need a win badly here as arse up to 3rd after a win at wigan..they got a very soft peno 1nil.. wigan should have had a equaliser for gibbs handball in 90th min but ref bottled it/should have went to specsavers. :-(

davycc

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/159959/2/watch-tottenham-hotspur-vs-stoke-city.html

davycc

sandro booked after 7mins for high boot on whelan

davycc

dembele elbowed in face by nzonzi--dirtbag--no yellow or even a free given

MrKingsley

Jesus Vertz is actually the most natural replacement for VDV as our playmaker. What a footballer

MrKingsley

Thats absolute bull that jan gets booked only after whelan has a word with the ref. Utter bollix from the ref so far

davycc

2 fouls on whelan by sandro & yan see them booked but when whelan kicks yan back its fine? pity sandro didint catch(the irish gattuso lol) in the face

davycc

what a cross from bale--ade should have stuck that header away!

great tackle from dembele just before that but he aint getting any protection from the ref from all the shirt dragging & blatant obstructions/elbow on him.. i hope he gets the winner!

Kiith

Ref is having a ****ing laugh. Bloody useless, and everything is going Stokes way.

MrKingsley

Pretty happy with that first half. Were up for the fight anyway which is vital against this lot. Defoe has been quality IMO. Hes held onto every ball thats been played to him and hasnt been far away from getting on the end of a few crosses.

Lennon and Ade have been quiet and need to get more involved i think.

Need to stay concentrated though. A few times when theyve won the ball off us its been 2v2 or 3v3 in our box. Just aswell they havent been able to cross the ball

davycc

Kiith wrote: »

Ref is having a ****ing laugh. Bloody useless, and everything is going Stokes way.

Is he Chris Foy in disguise? giving them butchers EVERYTHING:mad:

Kiith

The time wasting from Stoke is insane. How has the ref not called them up on it?

davycc

same old stoke-same old refs-

hopefully we dont turn into the same old spurs & concede a crouchy winner..

the ref cant even get a basic throw in decision correct-shocking away bias today

mickman

question ?

Why is one of our best headers of the ball (bale) taking the corners ?

Would it not be a better idea to get lennon to take them

MrKingsley

Fresh legs please andre. Id like to see townsend for lennon

Leinstersqspur

Come on Siggy, you can do it!

Emoran

mickman wrote: »

question ?

Why is one of our best headers of the ball (bale) taking the corners ?

Would it not be a better idea to get lennon to take them

It would either land far too short, too far and or out of the stadium!

Lennon isn't the greatest of crossers

Walker would be a decent option

mickman

Emoran wrote: »

It would either land far too short, too far and or out of the stadium!

Lennon isn't the greatest of crossers

Walker would be a decent option

he is a winger - he should be able to cross and if he needs improvement then he should work at it.

Anyway fair play to stoke , they played very well and we could not break them down

A point isnt bad against these guys.

I think we played quite well

Leinstersqspur

They were always gonna be hard to breakdown, apparently of the top seven leagues in Europe, only seven teams – Paris St Germain, St Etienne, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Malaga, Benfica and Porto – have a better defensive record than Stoke this season.

Ugly but effective.

KingdomYid

Did not see the game or even hear any reports today. How did we play and did we deserve to win?

Kiith

KingdomYid wrote: »

Did not see the game or even hear any reports today. How did we play and did we deserve to win?

They played as Stoke always do. 11 men behind the ball most of the time, wasted loads of time and I don't think they even had a shot in the 2nd half.

We were too predictable, and really didn't seem to click for most of the game. Quite frustrating to watch really. Sandro and Vert were the only good players that I can remember.

Also, the ref was shocking.

Emoran

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Here's Mourinho with Real's President Florentino Perez at a dinner on Thursday:



Tis the season to be jolly...

I think Mourinho knows he's done whatever happens this season. The media in Spain don't give him the love that he gets elsewhere. Marca hate him and he was recently involved in a spat with one of their journalists calling him a sh*t. With that being said I don't think they will sack him while they are still alive in the Champions League. He's won the competition twice and I see him getting the time to try and aid them into winning European Cup number ten. The way I see it there are two scenarios:

1) Madrid get knocked out of the Champions League and coupled with the loss of the league they decide to wish him the best in his future endeavours...

2) Mourinho wins the Champions League and decides it will never be better than this at the club and heads off into the sunset having given Madrid the top two prizes within two seasons.

I think he dropped Casillas to send out the message that he's the one in charge and that all the criticism he got for conceding the title race hasn't phased him. I think it was a bad call though.

Couldn't agree more mate

COYS