Gallowgate Toon Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Despite their long ball reputation, Stoke are a handy outfit especially at home. Whilst their central midfielders are not particularly creative, their wingers are tricky and pacy. With our full backs, I would think Pennant and Etherington will be tasked to take on Simmo and Taylor and get quality crosses into Walters and Crouch who are handy in the air. Without Tiote, Best and with Saylor possibly wary with his nose injury, I can see Stoke peppering our back line in the air. My major worry is that I dont think we are particularly strong in the air at the back, especially without the likes of Best, Amobi, Williamson and Tiote being available to counter the tall timber Stoke will send forward for set pieces. It will be an interesting game but we must not sit deep or lump it forward but be patient and play the ball around lookong for the opening on the deck. Having said that, I would be happy with a point tonight. Best and Taylor will both play by all accounts. Not sure on Tiote. I wouldn't be so sure on Best, Pardew's been making noises about Ben Arfa for a couple of weeks now, pretty sure he's said recently he's finding it harder and harder not to play him? I think he'll conveniently use that excuse to give him a start. I actually think it would do Ben Arfa the world of good if he did start tonight, it would show him the manager has faith in him and that he's not under as great pressure here as he was elsewhere, to perform. He's not really had that for other teams/managers he's played for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Well match day started in the Tree household with the best of Frank Sinatra over breakfast followed by copacabana, the monster mash and a good dose of Trololol to set up a really positive day. School run over, feeling ready to rumble and looking forward to slaying the stoke dragon tonight. 5-1 to us. Marveaux to start and Ben Arfa off the bench to get his first goal of the season. Holy shit. Tapatalk better sort out this ignore function fucking soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Icke - Son of God Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Krul Santon - Colo - Saylor - Raylor Marveuax - Cabaye - Guthrie - Jonas HBA - Ba Providing Best and Tiote don't make it I'd go with the above. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AyeDubbleYoo Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 How about: Obertan Cabaye Marveaux Jonas ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Zaius Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 How about: Obertan Cabaye Marveaux Jonas ? Can see that midfield getting bullied off the pitch by Stoke. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbandit Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 2-2 Colo and Marveaux. Just want to come out of it with no injuries and really want Arfa to pull some strings and look more relaxed and assured on the ball Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Nguyen Van Falk Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 5 man midfield and I think we will get a point. Our fullbacks will have to play out of their skins to deal with their wingers, would feel a lot more comfortable if Marveaux and Santon are starting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 1-1. Ba scores, they push on and force an equaliser from set piece. Ben Arfa hits post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazzle Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I wouldn't go out of our way to accommodate Obertan. Guthrie earned his place after his Blackburn performance, even if he does turn out to be rubbish tonight after I've said that... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Apparently Best is unlikely. Surely HBA and not Lövenkrands? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayson Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I dont think HBA deserves to start really, but i have a feeling that he could light this game up for some reason. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanSkÃrare Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 I dont think HBA deserves to start really, but i have a feeling that he could light this game up for some reason. Agree, still rather have him on the pitch than Lövenkrands. Would be Sammy, but that's even more unlikely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan_Taylor Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Apparently Best is unlikely. Surely HBA and not Lövenkrands? Lovenkrands Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest johnson293 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Would be great to win down there (give them one back for last season), but I'd be happy with a point, keep the unbeaten run going, and leapfrog Chelski, ready for the weekend at Home to Everton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeloEmre Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Apparently Best is unlikely. Surely HBA and not Lövenkrands? Says who? He said yesterday that he's feeling much better and would play if he's picked by Pardew. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Best is fine ffs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sportnet Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 ba best ben Jo mar cab Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolution Number 9 Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 ba best ben Jo mar cab Would be interesting to see this like, although if it actually worked we'd be left with one hell of a selection problem. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazzle Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Best is fine ffs. He says he is, Pardew might not think he's 100%. I can still see HBA and Ba playing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeloEmre Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Best will play. As i said yesterday he's gonna be very important for us today on set pieces. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Roy the Irish Magpie Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 game lost if he plays the scottish sounding danish bag of wank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Icke - Son of God Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 The local journos say Best is unlikely to play. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Best is fine ffs. He says he is, Pardew might not think he's 100%. I can still see HBA and Ba playing. He's been back in full training since Friday IIRC. Can't see why he'd not play unless Ben Arfa is selected instead. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frazzle Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Best is fine ffs. He says he is, Pardew might not think he's 100%. I can still see HBA and Ba playing. He's been back in full training since Friday IIRC. Can't see why he'd not play unless Ben Arfa is selected instead. Ah, I thought he had been missing and felt better only yesterday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeloEmre Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 The local journos say Best is unlikely to play. Link? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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