Mr X Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 We should get a result really but stoke are a strong physical team & one of the best at parking the bus! Can see a 2-2 draw
Mr X Posted 15 November, 2015 Author Posted 15 November, 2015 i realise the match is still a week away
SuperSAINT Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 We should get a result really but stoke are a strong physical team & one of the best at parking the bus! Can see a 2-2 draw Stoke have picked up recently. 4 clean sheets from their last 5 league games. Shawcross is back & Shaqiri starting to look impressive. Will be a tough game but one we can win. Hope we have less of a hangover from the International break than we did when we played Leicester though. Fingers-crossed Virgil's knee is OK.
Yorkshire Saint Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Stek Cedric. Jose. Maya/Virgil. Bert Vic. Classie. Davo Mane. Pelle. Tadic. Subs: Kelv, Caulker, Maya/Reed, JWP, Long, JRod/Seager Watched Crouch v rest of the world at old Trafford yesterday ... He is way past his best now so in the unlikely event he does play, Virgil maybe missing might not be such a miss.
John B Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 I think it is a very important game as we have a series of hard games coming up so if we are to be successful again this season I think we must win this one
Sheaf Saint Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 I`d take a point, tbf. If it was away, I would be inclined to agree. But these are the home games we really need to be looking to win if we are to mount a challenge on the top 6 this season. Stoke would be happier with a draw than we would be.
Saint_John Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 2nd against 3rd in the Form table (over 6 games). They have not conceded an away goal in those 3 away games (two 1-0 wins and a 0-0) so I expect them to have lots of players behind the ball at all times and double up on Pelle & Sadio when we go forward. IMO the crowd will have BIG part to play - no groans when a pass goes astray please - their tactics will be to frustrate and then hope to score from their one chance. If the Northam are up for it and are loud for 90 mins I can see Saints winning 1-0.
benjii Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 They have a good keeper and a solid back four but they are not very cohesive as an attacking unit and rely on their support players to pull something out of the bag. Against Chelsea their midfield and attack lined up like this: ------------------Whelan-------------Adam---------------------- Shaqiri------------------Bojan---------------Arnautovic ----------------------------Walters------------------------------ It was quite easy for Chelsea to play through them and get space between the lines. That support three aren't the most combative and intense without the ball and Adam is fat and slow (and hopefully the ref doesn't let him get away with having anything within five yards all match). As long as we close them down around the box I can see us having a lot of joy against them. 4-1 Saints.
Saint Charlie Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Quote from VVD in the paper this morning saying he is fine.
Pamplemousse Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Tight 1-0 win. Stoke have had some decent results but also some dodgy ones like losing to WBA and Watford.
Appy Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Looks like Long could be available, good news, bench has looked weak attacking wise of late.
ericofarabia Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 2nd against 3rd in the Form table (over 6 games). They have not conceded an away goal in those 3 away games (two 1-0 wins and a 0-0) so I expect them to have lots of players behind the ball at all times and double up on Pelle & Sadio when we go forward. IMO the crowd will have BIG part to play - no groans when a pass goes astray please - their tactics will be to frustrate and then hope to score from their one chance. If the Northam are up for it and are loud for 90 mins I can see Saints winning 1-0. Get the rest of the ground to join in and it 'll be 4-0!! Stoke have returned Block 43, so extra tickets in The Northam End for us.
Batman Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 we have to be favourites but they have some very good players will be a tight game. Shaquiri looked very good against Chelsea
whelk Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 How they got Bojan is beyond me. Lovely player and deserves better than Stoke.
CWD Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Can see a scrappy 1-0 here with a goal from a pen/free kick/corner. Two good defensive teams with a couple of special attacking players apiece... Just hope we're on the right end of it.
Wrensup Posted 15 November, 2015 Posted 15 November, 2015 Injuries, loss of form, not enough games, same with Shaquiri. ....Not actually that good.
Saint Fan CaM Posted 16 November, 2015 Posted 16 November, 2015 Heart says 2-0 Saints - head says 1-1 or they nick it 0-1. We're not great at breaking down this type of team - it'll be a tough one.
SaintBobby Posted 16 November, 2015 Posted 16 November, 2015 We should get a result really but stoke are a strong physical team & one of the best at parking the bus! Can see a 2-2 draw That would basically be the opposite of "parking the bus", right? 4 goals ain't "parking the bus".
Saint_Jonny Posted 16 November, 2015 Posted 16 November, 2015 A tough game that will go either way, would snap your arm off for a scrappy 1-0!
Saint Garrett Posted 16 November, 2015 Posted 16 November, 2015 1/2-0 Saints...frustrating afternoon, however a late goal opens them up. Maybe a last min 2nd as they push for a draw. Stek; Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand; Clasie Wanyama; Tadic Davis Mane; Pelle Have to deal with their standard thuggury, but they're not quite as bad as they used to be. Certainly got the players to cause us problems in Shakiri and Bojan.
mrfahaji Posted 16 November, 2015 Posted 16 November, 2015 1/2-0 Saints...frustrating afternoon, however a late goal opens them up. Maybe a last min 2nd as they push for a draw. Stek; Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand; Clasie Wanyama; Tadic Davis Mane; Pelle Have to deal with their standard thuggury, but they're not quite as bad as they used to be. Certainly got the players to cause us problems in Shakiri and Bojan. Even though their general style of play is less anti-football now than under Pulis, I would say that our games at the Britannia last season were evidence that they are more than capable of being a dirty side. The league cup game especially - first half we completely outplayed them and second half they kicked us all over the place. In fairness to Hughes, it almost worked, as they clawed back the two goal deficit and we clearly couldn't deal with their aggression.
The9 Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Stoke have picked up recently. 4 clean sheets from their last 5 league games. Shawcross is back & Shaqiri starting to look impressive. Will be a tough game but one we can win. Hope we have less of a hangover from the International break than we did when we played Leicester though. Fingers-crossed Virgil's knee is OK. Is that one of those hangovers where you feel fantastic and look great at first, and then after impressing loads of people you mysteriously shart and then throw up on yourself for no apparent reason, and some weasel-looking bloke nicks in and steals your bird? If anyone can wedge Kelvin's kick into this ridiclous analogy I'll be most impressed.
Stevie61163 Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 I can`t wait to get back to league action after the bore fest that is England All internationals should be scrapped as pointless and Hodgson, Rooney and co dumped in the nearest sewer!!! Any rant over back to this weekend Every game against Stoke is a tough physical game but a game that is very winnable especially at home. our strongest side which by the way does NOT include Yoshida at right back should be too strong for Stoke Lets just make sure that when we get a 2 goal lead at home that we do not retreat back into our shells and give the initiative to the away team This has so nearly cost us in the last 2 home games. Pelle to score 1st 3-1 Saints
Saint_Tony Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Stoke are a decent side. Coming back off an International break a draw would be a very good result. Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk
JRM Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 I can see this one being a draw as well, Stoke do not score or concede many and will come with the intention of making it difficult for us. Fingers crossed Van Dyke is fit for the game, don't want us to make many changes, hopefully Wanyama and Mane return from Africa promptly and are raring to go. anyone know if many of the Stoke first XI were involved in international games this week?
VectisSaint Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 anyone know if many of the Stoke first XI were involved in international games this week? The name Walters rings a bell, Whelan also in Ireland's team. Young chap called Butland at Wembley last night. Diouf with Mane, Cameron in the USA. Arnautavic and Shaqiri for Austria and Switzerland. May be more.
The9 Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 The last few games I've thought it will be close and we'd sneak it, and we've shot out of the blocks and gone 2 up early, with differing results for the rest of the match. So I'll go for 2-1 and more 2-0 up panic.
The9 Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 The name Walters rings a bell, Whelan also in Ireland's team. Young chap called Butland at Wembley last night. Diouf with Mane, Cameron in the USA. Arnautavic and Shaqiri for Austria and Switzerland. May be more. In September it was these players: England - Jack Butland Switzerland - Xherdan Shaqiri Holland - Ibrahim Afellay USA - Geoff Cameron Republic of Ireland - Shay Given, Jonathan Walters, Marc Wilson, Glenn Whelan Austria - Marko Arnautovic, Daniel Bachmann (Under-21s) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34186697 Plus Mame Biram Diouf alongside Mane as you mentioned: http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/article/potters-on-the-scoresheet-in-world-cup-qualifiers-2803410.aspx
Cosmic Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Stoke are a decent side. Coming back off an International break a draw would be a very good result. Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk Why?
ProxyCentauri Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 4-0. Tadic 1, J-Rod 1, Mane 2. Fat Charlie sent off after 3 mins with prostate pain
SNSUN Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Stoke - decent team, started slowly but they'll hit decent form at some point. Will be a tough game but we're unbeaten in 8 ( and the Man Utd game we could've won before that) for a reason. Will either be a well fought draw or a piece of magic will win it for us. Mané to shine is my bet. 2-1 Saints.
Dark Munster Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Stoke are a decent side. Coming back off an International break a draw would be a very good result. Trying to decide which is the best retort. a) ... for Stoke b) ... if we're 3-0 down at half-time. c) ... when we play City in a week's time.
whelk Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 Newcastle battered Stoke. They have some decent players but one of those sides that constantly over rated. Sort of thing Merson trots out about how hard they are to beat at home when stats show one win in eight or something.
derry Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 I'm not sure Stoke are as good a team as people are making out. It seems to me Butland playing blinders has more to do with their success than anything else.
Saint Charlie Posted 18 November, 2015 Posted 18 November, 2015 4-0. Tadic 1, J-Rod 1, Mane 2. Fat Charlie sent off after 3 mins with prostate pain Jay Rod still injured with "pain in his foot" that has lasted nearly a month now. Such a shame, he must be feeling very frustrated.
Batman Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Jay Rod still injured with "pain in his foot" that has lasted nearly a month now. Such a shame, he must be feeling very frustrated. I don't think he will be at saints next season. Which is a shame
doddisalegend Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 I don't think he will be at saints next season. Which is a shame He just signed a new four year contract in May so he is going to be at saints for a while yet injured or not.
CB Fry Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 He just signed a new four year contract in May so he is going to be at saints for a while yet injured or not. Batman is just desperate to add another name to his "this would never happen at Everton" list.
ProxyCentauri Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Batman is just desperate to add another name to his "this would never happen at Everton" list. Did anything ever happen up there since Dunc left?
niceandfriendly Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Not even Everton could prevent Stoke coming to St Mary's this weekend. That is decided when the fixtures are drawn and Mark Hughes has confirmed the game is on.
eddie Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 we'll prob win this. I think van dijk can perfectly well handle walters, and their wing play (diouf/arnautovich/shaqiri) will be dealt with by bertrand on the one side and....who knows on the other. I think they'll put arnautovich on the left as cedric is smaller and lighter, and they'll take advantage of that. I can actually see koeman going for yoshida (heaven help us all) at RB to deal with him. Koeman thinks stoke are a very physical side with a lot of height. Wouldn't be surprised if cedric doesn't start for that reason. In any case. I think pieters will be turned utterly inside out by Mane, and Wollscheid has only played against us once I believe which can only be of benefit to us not seen much of butland though he did fantastic I thought against France. No matter if the france team was subdued in their play, their shots would still have gone in the back of the net had butland not made a couple of saves and come out to claim the ball 4-5 times. So it won't be as 'weak link' as people are making out. Can see it going 1-0 saints. Trouble is, if they get the first goal, we'll be damned if we can level before the end. Still. The boys have played enough times together to be calm and know their routine so there's no reason we can't start with intensity and push ahead early doors. FWIW I would rather start romeu above clasie. I think clasie will get tossed around like a rag doll if he's not careful. other than that, standard back 5 (I would play cedric, actually, though I think koeman won't), wanyama, davies, tadic, mane, pelle.
Batman Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Batman is just desperate to add another name to his "this would never happen at Everton" list. honestly, I am DESPERATE..
Mattio Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Is Van Dijk likely to start? The EPL fantasy league has him at 75%.
VectisSaint Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 not seen much of butland though he did fantastic I thought against France. No matter if the france team was subdued in their play, their shots would still have gone in the back of the net had butland not made a couple of saves and come out to claim the ball 4-5 times. So it won't be as 'weak link' as people are making out. is anyone making out that Butland will be the weak link? He has been in tremendous form so far this season for Stoke, and has kept them in games several times. He is probably their best player and may well push Hart out of the England #1 spot soon if he continues (or if he were at one of the Big Clubs). Forster will be hard pressed to reclaim the England #2 keeper position when he gets back to fitness.
trousers Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 Koeman confirms that VvD is ok for the weekend
eddie Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 is anyone making out that Butland will be the weak link? He has been in tremendous form so far this season for Stoke, and has kept them in games several times. He is probably their best player and may well push Hart out of the England #1 spot soon if he continues (or if he were at one of the Big Clubs). Forster will be hard pressed to reclaim the England #2 keeper position when he gets back to fitness. well maybe not now, haven't really been keeping up with the chatter. at the beginning of the season though everyone made a big thing of the fact that begovic had gone to chelsea, and that there was still a question mark over whether butland was able to step up to take his place. I think though no chance he'll push hart out for euros, but further down the line for sure. he's only 22.
trousers Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 So, no questions about JRod's fitness at the press conference. Well played journos....
Cosmic Posted 19 November, 2015 Posted 19 November, 2015 we'll prob win this. I think van dijk can perfectly well handle walters, and their wing play (diouf/arnautovich/shaqiri) will be dealt with by bertrand on the one side and....who knows on the other. I think they'll put arnautovich on the left as cedric is smaller and lighter, and they'll take advantage of that. I can actually see koeman going for yoshida (heaven help us all) at RB to deal with him. Koeman thinks stoke are a very physical side with a lot of height. Wouldn't be surprised if cedric doesn't start for that reason. In any case. I think pieters will be turned utterly inside out by Mane, and Wollscheid has only played against us once I believe which can only be of benefit to us not seen much of butland though he did fantastic I thought against France. No matter if the france team was subdued in their play, their shots would still have gone in the back of the net had butland not made a couple of saves and come out to claim the ball 4-5 times. So it won't be as 'weak link' as people are making out. Can see it going 1-0 saints. Trouble is, if they get the first goal, we'll be damned if we can level before the end. Still. The boys have played enough times together to be calm and know their routine so there's no reason we can't start with intensity and push ahead early doors. FWIW I would rather start romeu above clasie. I think clasie will get tossed around like a rag doll if he's not careful. other than that, standard back 5 (I would play cedric, actually, though I think koeman won't), wanyama, davies, tadic, mane, pelle. So, to sum up: Van Dijk (who's never played against Stoke) will snuff out their threat, but Wollscheid only having played against us once before means he won't have a clue what's going on. And you don't want Koeman to take the opposition into account when he selects his right back, but you do when he picks his central midfielder. Oh and I'm not quite sure who has been claiming that Butland is a weak leak. Most people have been saying that he has been keeping them in games.
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