Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[paulcomben]

Live commentary on Stoke v Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live, in case you had not noticed that yet.

[Concrete John]

0-2 villa win

                Guzan

Lowton.   Vlaar.    Baker. Bennett

      Westwood. Delph.  Sylla

Weimann.   Benteke.    Gabby

Exactly the team I'd play.

[David_Nab]

0-2 villa win

                Guzan

Lowton.   Vlaar.    Baker. Bennett

      Westwood. Delph.  Sylla

Weimann.   Benteke.    Gabby

Exactly the team I'd play.

Agreed the only variation I can see is maybe Baker at LB to give us more height but at the loss of attacking threat

[Concrete John]

Not a bad shout if Clark is fit.

[Des Little]

0-2 villa win

                Guzan

Lowton.   Vlaar.    Baker. Bennett

      Westwood. Delph.  Sylla

Weimann.   Benteke.    Gabby

Exactly the team I'd play.

Agreed the only variation I can see is maybe Baker at LB to give us more height but at the loss of attacking threat

Exactly.  Baker HAS to play LB if Clark is fit.  Stoke will murder Bennett if he plays.

[PaulWinch again]

If Cameron Jerome's comments, basically saying they can afford to lose to us and still be ok, are an indication of their team's mentality then that could be very good news for us.

[JUAN PABLO]

If Cameron Jerome's comments, basically saying they can afford to lose to us and still be ok, are an indication of their team's mentality then that could be very good news for us.

Blimey I would not want my player saying that . Odd

[N'ZMAV]

Cameron Jerome knows fuck all. He is very lucky to be in the Premier League because he is fucking shit.

[adrenachrome]

If Cameron Jerome's comments, basically saying they can afford to lose to us and still be ok, are an indication of their team's mentality then that could be very good news for us.

Blimey I would not want my player saying that . Odd

Not at all: he is taking the pressure of them.

[PaulWinch again]

I realise he's trying to take the pressure off them, but it comes across as a player who lacks faith in his team's ability to win. It's very negative.

[Ads]

I realise he's trying to take the pressure off them, but it comes across as a player who lacks faith in his team's ability to win. It's very negative.

Pressure is a good thing. Man United's players are under the most pressure week in week out. You need pressure to perform, otherwise losing becomes acceptable.

I cannot believe that he has come out and said this, that a professional is even countenancing defeat.

It’s a very good thing for us.

[N'ZMAV]

Stick his quotes up around the dressing room wall then ram them down his throat on the pitch.

[eastie]

@JamesNursey: #AVFC Lambert bright & breezy still insisting team will survive. No major injury news, Clark officially "doubtful" but I've heard may play

[neo_Villan]

Think I'd leave Bannan in the team. No coincidence that he has started six out of our seven wins. Stoke is the sort of game that we should be dominating in terms of possession too. Why there is a sudden spunkfest over Delph is beyond me. He looked shite when he came on against Pool and did he usual best to get booked.

[stubbsyandy]

I have been disappointed with Bannan this season, but maybe he is playing to far back? He is not the most effective of tacklers and this has been costly when missing tackles in front of the back four. Also his passing is wasted as often he has to pass sideways because he is so deep, or try his Hollywood pass (nuff said)
Play Westwood and Sylla/Delph in front of the back four with Bannan in front of them, Andi and Gabby on the flanks attacking on the outside and inside.