v Stoke City (A) Match thread

[Parsnip]

Saturday 17th August.

KO 15.00.

Ok so Stoke away isn't the most glamourous tie in English football but it does deserve it's own thread.

Any game against Stoke is a nil - nil risk but after their terrible start to the season I'm expecting a win good enough to see them go bottom.

COYR!

[RadioactiveWaste]

I fear the re-emergence of Derby's "oh they are in terrible form we're bound to beat these... Oh poo.... They beat us" tendency that we've had fir absolutely years.

A draw would be OK, a win great, a loss can't be ruled out, but won't be the disaster the later stages of this thread might lead you to believe.

[Bubbles]

I feel like this is a game where Bogle's absence will show to be a huge factor in the final result. On our right hand side I feel as if we will be vulnerable. Max Lowe is good but its not his primary position.

I think Tom Ince will be a massive threat as per and they are gonna put their arses on the line for this. At home, for their first win of the season.

Lets prove to them we're not a pushover. COYR

[cosmic]

Wait, what is this? Can any old sod (apologies @Pastinaak) start the match day thread now? 

How are we ever going to go on a run?

The forum has fallen into chaos. The blame lies solely on @Rample for this one. 

What have we become...

[Carl Sagan]

Well done for trying to overcome the tRampling of the matchthread etiquette. Hope the chaos is over by the time most read this and the alternative thread has been merged into here (mods!).

It's been such a good, purposeful start. Only one goal conceded which gives me confidence when all great managers build from the back and create the strong spine. Bielik looks as if he'll be a big part of that, and I think he should start to continue to build match fitness - maybe an hour in that position.

We need to add to the creativity and ruthlessness up top. When you see the skill of Marriott's take down (Bergkamp-esque) against Scunny and know what he's capable of, how can you not start him? Bogle and Holmes are out so Lowe continues deputizing at right back. I think a very fluid 4-2-3-1 is how it'll look. I'd probably play this starting 11 but I suspect Cocu will swap in Josefzoon for Marriott with Waghorn moving more centrally:

Roos

Lowe     Keogh     Clarke     Malone

Evans       Bielik

Waghorn     Dowell      Lawrence

Marriott

Subs: Hamer, Shinnie, Huddlestone, Davies, Bennett, Josefzoon, Paterson

That would mean no place for Buchanan or Knight which is a tough call. I'd expect lots of rotation across the front four.

Meanwhile, let's hope Tom Ince isn't buoyed by his first goal all year last weekend. Eek!

[Parsnip]

Just now, cosmic said:

Wait, what is this? Can any old sod (apologies @Pastinaak) start the match day thread now? 

Nope. It's mine now till we lose. Usual service has resumed. David and Rample were given notice.

I'm going on the longest run of matchday threads in history.

[cosmic]

16 minutes ago, Carl Sagan said:

Well done for trying to overcome the tRampling of the matchthread etiquette. Hope the chaos is over by the time most read this and the alternative thread has been merged into here (mods!).

There’s TWO rogue matchday threads?!

[Parsnip]

3 minutes ago, cosmic said:

There’s TWO rogue matchday threads?!

One rogue, one legitimate. It's all about those 2 minutes.

[cosmic]

Just now, Pastinaak said:

One rogue, one legitimate. It's all about those 2 minutes.

Ironically all I’m doing by moaning on this thread is legitimising it by increasing the post count. 

You're welcome.

[Jourdan]

23 minutes ago, Carl Sagan said:

Well done for trying to overcome the tRampling of the matchthread etiquette. Hope the chaos is over by the time most read this and the alternative thread has been merged into here (mods!).

It's been such a good, purposeful start. Only one goal conceded which gives me confidence when all great managers build from the back and create the strong spine. Bielik looks as if he'll be a big part of that, and I think he should start to continue to build match fitness - maybe an hour in that position.

We need to add to the creativity and ruthlessness up top. When you see the skill of Marriott's take down (Bergkamp-esque) against Scunny and know what he's capable of, how can you not start him? Bogle and Holmes are out so Lowe continues deputizing at right back. I think a very fluid 4-2-3-1 is how it'll look. I'd probably play this starting 11 but I suspect Cocu will swap in Josefzoon for Marriott with Waghorn moving more centrally:

Roos

Lowe     Keogh     Clarke     Malone

Evans       Bielik

Waghorn     Dowell      Lawrence

Marriott

Subs: Hamer, Shinnie, Huddlestone, Davies, Bennett, Josefzoon, Paterson

That would mean no place for Buchanan or Knight which is a tough call. I'd expect lots of rotation across the front four.

Meanwhile, let's hope Tom Ince isn't buoyed by his first goal all year last weekend. Eek!

Some really tough calls there.

Did Marriott do enough on Tuesday to get a start on Saturday?

I think Cocu’s biggest dilemma is the midfield and whether to bring in Bielik or not.

Unlike Marriott, it sounds like he made a real impression on Tuesday.

Does Cocu stay patient and stick with Huddlestone and Evans, and if not who drops out?

It’d be harsh on either player to be dropped.

[Remy the hare]

In this league you need momentum a good start is very important, Norwich, Cardiff, Huddersfield, etc. have all proven this. So keep the unbeaten run going, put in a good performance and play your best 11 regardless.

Bielik has to start.

[GenBr]

@Jourdan I don't think its a dilemma at all whether to bring Bielik or not - if fully fit he has to start. The dilemma is who he replaces and for me after another good performance for Evans against Scunthorpe it has to be Huddlestone who makes way.

[Jourdan]

3 minutes ago, GenBr said:

@Jourdan I don't think its a dilemma at all whether to bring Bielik or not - if fully fit he has to start. The dilemma is who he replaces and for me after another good performance for Evans against Scunthorpe it has to be Huddlestone who makes way.

Of course, eventually Bielik will be the main man, and don’t get me wrong, I also fully expect him to start on Saturday.

But it all depends on Cocu’s approach - he might say to Huddlestone and Evans, the shirt’s yours until you give me a reason to take it from you.

We are unbeaten in all competitions, so how great will Cocu’s desire be to change things?

It’ll be interesting to see.

[Gee SCREAMER !!]

Read somewhere the other day that Stoke have 113 mill pounds of signings at the club.  Seemed a bit high, but if correct that seems bonkers for this league even with parachute payment's.

[Steve How Hard?]

1 hour ago, cosmic said:

Wait, what is this? Can any old sod (apologies @Pastinaak) start the match day thread now? 

How are we ever going to go on a run?

The forum has fallen into chaos. The blame lies solely on @Rample for this one. 

What have we become...

[Rampage]

30 minutes ago, GenBr said:

@Jourdan I don't think its a dilemma at all whether to bring Bielik or not - if fully fit he has to start. The dilemma is who he replaces and for me after another good performance for Evans against Scunthorpe it has to be Huddlestone who makes way.

Dowell and Hudds have not done brilliant. Evans more defensive. I would drop Hudds. Scoring goals is the issue.

[brady1993]

1 hour ago, Jourdan said:

Some really tough calls there.

Did Marriott do enough on Tuesday to get a start on Saturday?

I think Cocu’s biggest dilemma is the midfield and whether to bring in Bielik or not.

Unlike Marriott, it sounds like he made a real impression on Tuesday.

Does Cocu stay patient and stick with Huddlestone and Evans, and if not who drops out?

It’d be harsh on either player to be dropped.

To be honest I thought other than Bielik the player who made the biggest case for a start was Knight.

[Jourdan]

12 minutes ago, brady1993 said:

To be honest I thought other than Bielik the player who made the biggest case for a start was Knight.

Interesting.

Do you think Knight might get a chance v Bristol City at home?

Cocu will have to mix things up with the schedule we have this month.

Six league games in August is bonkers.

[DcFc Dyycheee]

Roos; Lowe, Keogh, Clarke, Malone; Bielik, Knight, Dowell; Waghorn, Marriott, Lawrence. 

Stoke aren't in the best of shape at the minute. Maybe the win in the cup will give them a little boost. I wouldn't be too upset with a point and a good performance. Get an early goal, they'll crumble and the fans will turn. 

[Jourdan]

1 minute ago, DcFc Dyycheee said:

Roos; Lowe, Keogh, Clarke, Malone; Bielik, Knight, Dowell; Waghorn, Marriott, Lawrence. 

Stoke aren't in the best of shape at the minute. Maybe the win in the cup will give them a little boost. I wouldn't be too upset with a point and a good performance. Get an early goal, they'll crumble and the fans will turn. 

I think this is the first big test for Cocu, Twan, Chris and the boys.

This is the kind of game we tend to falter in - we are always that team who lends a helping hand to a team out of sorts.

If we can win and win well, it would be a massive statement of intent from us.