Guest rusty747 Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Another tough test. Howard and Barry back but probably still missing Jags. I don't think this will be a classic and that we will need to grind out the points. It will be interesting to see how RM handles Baines and Oviedo. Oviedo does not deserve to be dropped but Baines might be better suited defensively against a physical Stoke side. I would like Pienaar to start on the left so I guess my starting line up would be Howard Coleman Alcaraz Distin Baines Barry McCarthy Mirallas Barkley Pienaar Lukaku Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Isn't Howard suspended for 3 game with a straight red? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Isn't Howard suspended for 3 game with a straight red? No. That's only for violent conduct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 No. That's only for violent conduct.cheers dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 We should still be good enough to come away with three points. We need a few more players on form instead of our back five. I think we need Pienaar back, we lacked that creative spark without him. But maybe he did need a rest. With Barry back we might also see young Ross be able to be a bit more creative. Right wing is the biggest problem. I am worried that Mirralas just isn't happy here. He doesn't seem to be Up for the cause. But we also don't have anyone to replace him with at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 I think you all are reading too much into Mirallas bad form. He will come good, he was the same when we got him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_E Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 I think you all are reading too much into Mirallas bad form. He will come good, he was the same when we got him. Bad form is relative too considering he's been by far our most creative player with 5 assists (sharing the 6th spot in the league) and 29 key passes (13th in the league). He's also improved his pass accuracy compared to last season and is our most accurate passer on the wing. He's at 82% pass accuracy this season, Pienaar is at 81, Deulofeu at 75 and Naismith at 65. Yet he puts in more crosses per game than them (1.5, compared to Pienaar's 0.4, Naismiths 0.2 and Deulofeu's 0.2). Pienaar does touch the ball a lot more per game, but he's much more of a playmaker than a traditional winger. He dribbles more than Pienaar and Naismith, yet loses the ball less than Pienaar per game and less than Naismith if you'd take into account that he plays less minutes per game than Mirallas. As long as Mirallas does something with the ball when he has it, I'm fine with his performances. He just needs to get into the box more himself imo to get some goals. London Blue and pete0 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 We need the 3 points. The lineup posted looks great, it will be so nice to have Howard and Barry back . Also with the Oviedo and baines situation we can start baines and if he gets gassed put Bryan in as a sub later on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalziel Kane Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Not a million miles from Stoke here but new years day is awkward for a journey. Only to say, see what occurs and hope the team can pick up the victory and maintain the push for european places. Talk more when the game is done and see what we have ourselves, but quietly confident. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Martinez press conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y2OEBG2fKE He seems to be talking more about the transfer window than the match though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Angel Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 am gonna put a sneaky fiver on howard first goal scorer. its a wind trap there. especially new years day. and we all know what howard can do with a goal kick and stoke have alteady scored from there goal keeper this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Distin is a doubt for this one. Hope he plays because I don't fancy Alcaraz and Stones up against Stoke. If Alcaraz was fully match fit then it wouldn't be a problem but he's still easing his way in and it'd be a lot to ask of him right now to have to hand hold Stones through a game like this one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted December 31, 2013 Report Share Posted December 31, 2013 Bad form is relative too considering he's been by far our most creative player with 5 assists (sharing the 6th spot in the league) and 29 key passes (13th in the league). He's also improved his pass accuracy compared to last season and is our most accurate passer on the wing. He's at 82% pass accuracy this season, Pienaar is at 81, Deulofeu at 75 and Naismith at 65. Yet he puts in more crosses per game than them (1.5, compared to Pienaar's 0.4, Naismiths 0.2 and Deulofeu's 0.2). Pienaar does touch the ball a lot more per game, but he's much more of a playmaker than a traditional winger. He dribbles more than Pienaar and Naismith, yet loses the ball less than Pienaar per game and less than Naismith if you'd take into account that he plays less minutes per game than Mirallas. As long as Mirallas does something with the ball when he has it, I'm fine with his performances. He just needs to get into the box more himself imo to get some goals. Spot on. Its not like he isnt putting the effort either. Same applies to Lukaku as well. I wouldnt say that either is in sparkling form but they contribute a lot more to the team than they get credit for. Distin is a doubt for this one. Hope he plays because I don't fancy Alcaraz and Stones up against Stoke. If Alcaraz was fully match fit then it wouldn't be a problem but he's still easing his way in and it'd be a lot to ask of him right now to have to hand hold Stones through a game like this one as well. Same here, especially against Stoke who are still quite physical. Barry, Howard and Baines back in there would help too but still not ideal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 I think it'll be Alcaraz and Stones today - heard a few rumours. Crouch could give them a tough afternoon especially with the weather. With McCarthy, Barry and Barkley back together and experience at the back in Howard and Baines I would hope we've got enough to help them through! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Angel Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 I'd play johnny ahead of stones today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncanmckenzieismagic Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Right shitty weather today, cold wet and windy so it will play straight into Stokes hands We havent had a win all year so we need the points, off to catch my train now so Happy Blue Year to you all and lets hope we bring back the points pete0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shukes Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Stoke can actually play football these days so the weather isn't going to be their usual weapon. I am going for a 0.3! New year let's fill the team with optimism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 We havent had a win all year so we need the points Martinez out :shaking fist:. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Blue Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Distin out, so Stones and Alcaraz to start, according to Grand Old Team.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Nervous about today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Distin out, so Stones and Alcaraz to start, according to Grand Old Team.... Confirmed. Howard ©, Baines, Mirallas, McCarthy, Lukaku, Barry, Barkley, Pienaar, Coleman, Stones, Alcaraz Robles, Hibbert, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Osman, Vellios Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Sorensen; Cameron, Shawcross ©, Wilson, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Adam, Whelan, Assaidi; Crouch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Confirmed. Howard ©, Baines, Mirallas, McCarthy, Lukaku, Barry, Barkley, Pienaar, Coleman, Stones, Alcaraz Robles, Hibbert, Jelavic, Oviedo, Naismith, Osman, Vellios No Heitinga which means that he soon is a west ham player. Look forward to see what Stones and Alcaraz can do together. markjazzbassist and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett Angel Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 coleman needs to help back today anf not venture as much with those two CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c1982 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 coleman needs to help back today anf not venture as much with those two CB Think we'll see Barry and McCarthy dropping in more rather than Baines/Coleman. Matt and Peter H 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Blue Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 (edited) Alcaraz looked assured and calm against the Saints, I think he will help Stones through the Stoke game. Plus having Barry and McCarthy in front will give added protection. We need Coleman and Baines to go forward so we don't get penned in our half. We need to put Stoke on the back foot. Edited January 1, 2014 by London Blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Stones looks sooo young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter H Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Love the fact that Stones is already pointing and shouting to the rest, telling them where to be and what to do Matt and Quinn31 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markjazzbassist Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 COYB great lineup i'm hoping for a win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quinn31 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Love the fact that Stones is already pointing and shouting to the rest, telling them where to be and what to do I think he'll be a good one. Whether he's ready now... We'll see. Stoke doesn't have the most talented forwards, but they are big aerial threats, so it will be a challenge for Stones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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