Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[eastie]

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.

Bannan would be nowhere near a starting place for me - we can't carry passengers.

[Eugene Fraxby]

I'm not sure if when Bannan plays well, we play well or vice-versa. But during the Liverpool game we had a spell in the first half where we totally dominated possession and Bannan was at the heart of it constantly demanding the ball and switching play, finding Benteke with long passes etc... At the start of the 2nd where we really struggled he was totally anonymous.

Such a frustrating player.

[PeterWithesShin]

Injury news.

Brett Holman and Darren Bent are both in contention for Stoke on Saturday.

Holman missed the Liverpool game with a hamstring problem while the Reds clash came just too soon for Bent, who had been struggling with an ankle injury and a virus.

But both are firmly in the frame for the Britannia Stadium encounter.

Andreas Weimann, who limped off against Liverpool, has returned to training and looks set to be involved in the Potters game.

However, Ciaran Clark is a serious doubt after struggling to recover from a shoulder issue.

The centre-half picked up the injury in the international clash with Austria when he was away with Republic of Ireland.

He missed the match with the Reds and could also be absent for this latest game.

Lambert said: "Ciaran has still got a little bit of a problem. We'll see how he is the rest of the week.

"But he's still got a problem with his shoulder.

"Darren has trained every day. He will be in the squad.

"Darren had that month or so off when he couldn't do anything with his ankle.

"But he is back fit now and trained again this morning and is in the squad.

"Brett hasn't been getting in because Charles has been playing extremely well.

"He wasn't fit for Liverpool. He is fit now. He has trained this week so he is back in the fray."

Lambert also revealed that there is still no light at the end of the tunnel for Richard Dunne, who has thus far missed the entire campaign.

[Mister E]

Baker should probably play instead of CC anyway, for his aerial strength.
Could do with Herd as an option in MF, really; but it ain't going to happen.

Perhaps this is the weekend where both Bent and Holman make subb apearances and have inspired, matching-winning performances.

[Simon Ward]

Has anyone mentioned it is a must win game?

[hartman_1982]

Baker should probably play instead of CC anyway, for his aerial strength.
Could do with Herd as an option in MF, really; but it ain't going to happen.

Perhaps this is the weekend where both Bent and Holman make subb apearances and have inspired, matching-winning performances.

If fit I would go Clark at CB and Baker LB.

[neo_Villan]

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)

He seems to have cut out the wasteful 'Hollywood' balls in the last few games though. He has also made more attacking passes then Westwood in those games too. I'm not a big fan of him anymore, but I don't think he should be dropped for the likes of Delph.

[PaulWinch again]

Delph was our best midfielder prior to his suspension, so I think he should be back in.

[eastie]

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)

He seems to have cut out the wasteful 'Hollywood' balls in the last few games though. He has also made more attacking passes then Westwood in those games too. I'm not a big fan of him anymore, but I don't think he should be dropped for the likes of Delph.

You did see his awful long miscued ball that put Suarez through?

[neo_Villan]

Yes it's called a mistake. Something that the majority of the team have been guilty of at one point or another.

[paul_e]

I'm not sure if when Bannan plays well, we play well or vice-versa. But during the Liverpool game we had a spell in the first half where we totally dominated possession and Bannan was at the heart of it constantly demanding the ball and switching play, finding Benteke with long passes etc... At the start of the 2nd where we really struggled he was totally anonymous.

Such a frustrating player.

I agree totally as someone said we've won 1 game that he hasn't played in so, whilst he is frustrating and can be wasteful and prone to the odd error, he is one of the players that makes us tick.  When we're playing with a high tempo him and Westwood work really well as a pair.  Sylla or Delph a bit deeper than either of them were against liverpool with Westwood also deep and Bannan in front (but still in midfield) is our best midfield for me.  Workrate is going to be important in the next 7 matches given that we're a much better side when we get the tempo up, and I think that group offers the most in that regard, with Bannan being the one who most often moves the ball around quickly.

[Des Little]

Saturday will be a game of attrition, especially in the middle.  We need to win our battles there - Sylla and Delph can do this - and give the ball to Westwood to create and distribute.  Bannan would be an option off the bench for the last 15/20 when legs are tiring and gaps appear.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

Has anyone mentioned it is a must win game?

I know what you mean, but disagree. It's definately on the list of "winnable" games so a draw would be slightly frustrating but not the end of the world. We could still win 3 games after this one.

[eastie]

Yes it's called a mistake. Something that the majority of the team have been guilty of at one point or another.

Not many as regularly as bannan- he often gives the ball away leaving us out of position.
Sylla Delph and Westwood look a much better balance to me .

[Des Little]

Bannan seems to go to ground for every tackle too...which often means that the ball runs loose (or to an opponent) when he's on his arse.  Or am I being unduly harsh on the little chap?