Stoke Away

[psl]

Probably no Gerrard and Torres. No motivation. No ability to defend set pieces.

 

Its fair to say that I'm not loooking forward to it too much.

[muleskinner]

A draw at best.

[stonty]

A draw at best.

 

 

Yep

[Mr. Biscan]

Salif Diao is going to have a stormer.

 

 

[Hassony]

we'll win 3-0, Lucas, N'gog and a combined Degen/aurelio goal

[CarraLegend]

The weather looks fine unfortunately. A draw would be a dream at the minute.

[Walrus]

Salif Diao is going to have a stormer.

Rafa should've kept him and not embarrased him in the dressing room!

[Flasher]

Dear Rafa.

 

Assuming our players are fit and Maxi is clear to play, please do this.

 

Reina

 

Degen, Carra, Skrtel, AURELIO (you know, that talented Brazilian left back)

Maxi (yes Maxi, you've just signed him) Gerrard, Agger holding (that surprised you didn't it Rafa.) Yossi

Aquilani ( I know it's Gerrard's position, but AA can't play in the middle yet).

Torres

 

We need height and strength and talent.

 

If Gerrard and Torres aren't fit, then play youth, including Pacheco. At least that way if we lose we won't feel so bad.

 

Good luck. You'll need it.

 

ps. Tell the players to play with a smile on their face and express themselves, ideally with a football rather than method acting.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Flasher

[Bigal]

Yep, one I am dreading again.

 

Last time I felt like this was Villa Away................

[Walrus]

Rafa would never ever start Maxi in a game like this. It'll probably be closer to March than January before we'll see him in the starting line up.

[Swipe]

It's time for the Maxi-Masch axis to strike!

[CarraLegend]

Rafa would never ever start Maxi in a game like this. It'll probably be closer to March than January before we'll see him in the starting line up.

 

He's given loads of players debuts straight away and plenty have waited. Can never tell what he'll do.

[Hassony]

It's time for the Maxi-Masch axis to strike!

 

 

Masch is suspended

[Billy Dane]

Masch is suspended

 

Hasn't he missed Wolves, Villa and the two Reading games?

[baz2107]

Mascherano's ok, he missed Wolves, Villa and Reading x 2

[Walrus]

He's given loads of players debuts straight away and plenty have waited. Can never tell what he'll do.

Hopefully Rafa will surprise me, but I have this horrible image of this starting XI on Sat (if Gerrard and Torres are out):

 

Pepe

Degen-Carra-Agger-Insua

Benayoun-Masch-Lucas-Aurelio

Kuyt-N'Gog

[dl2009]

I think it's imperative that we play either Aurlelio (if fit) or Agger at left back as Stoke will no doubt look to expose Insua's weakness in the air, which will affect the entire back line. I think it was Fulham away this season where they consistently launched long balls down our left and had their striker contest Insua for the knock down. Kyrgtr Kgryi the Greek had to step across to cover which caused a big gap down the centre. I think they scored form one such foray.

Edited January 14, 2010 by dl2009

[Jarg Armani]

Dreading it.

 

When the season started I was looking forward to Arsenal at home and both Stoke games, thought we'd have a plan for the games and teams that seemed to wind Rafa up no end.

 

The way things are going if they get the first or the second goal we could get absolutely horsed.

[CarraLegend]

Dreading it.

 

When the season started I was looking forward to Arsenal at home and both Stoke games, thought we'd have a plan for the games and teams that seemed to wind Rafa up no end.

 

The way things are going if they get the first or the second goal we could get absolutely horsed.

 

Injury doubts over Gerrard, Torres and Benayoun aswell. Others are probably f***ed after extra time, Aquilani certainly will be.

 

It's hard at the moment to put forward a case for us getting a draw let alone a win. This is the first time this season I cant see a way out so hopefully they surprise me. Come on Maxi, lad!

[johngibo YPC]

Hopefully Rafa will surprise me, but I have this horrible image of this starting XI on Sat (if Gerrard and Torres are out):

 

Pepe

Degen-Carra-Agger-Insua

Benayoun-Masch-Lucas-Aurelio

Kuyt-N'Gog

 

What team are you hoping for? I can't think of a team i'd like to pay really. Bearing in mind i wouldn't play Aquaman or Maxi

[Flasher]

Hopefully Rafa will surprise me, but I have this horrible image of this starting XI on Sat (if Gerrard and Torres are out):

 

Pepe

Degen-Carra-Agger-Insua

Benayoun-Masch-Lucas-Aurelio

Kuyt-N'Gog

 

I felt sick looking at that line up. the thought of Insua defending high balls, not to mention the smallest midfield 4 on the planet - yuk...

[Walrus]

What team are you hoping for? I can't think of a team i'd like to pay really. Bearing in mind i wouldn't play Aquaman or Maxi

 

That's the sad thing, there isn't a very good team in the squad at the moment, especially when SG and FT are out or badly off form anyway.

 

I'd probably go something like:

 

Pepe

Darby-Carra-Agger-Aurelio

Maxi-Masch-Lucas-Yossi

Aquilani

Kuyt

 

with a view to bringing Pacheco on if possible.

 

I really, really don't rate Degen so that's why I'd choose even Darby ahead of him.

[Boca]

Benayoun out for a month with broken ribs according to reports in Israel today.

[Red Kent]

Last night without Gerrard and Torres proved we have no-one in midfield or upfront prepared to battle or fight for the ball. Seens as Stoke play a really physical game, I can see a massive hiding of 3 or 4 to 0.

 

We have to many namby pamby players who would rather moan at the ref than kick someone.

[Swipe]

Masch is suspended

 

No he's not.