Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Stephen Ireland was training with the first team today. Is he back in contention ?

[neo_Villan]

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 .

I just don't see what Delph contributes to justify him ahead of Bannan. Yes he has a little more bite, but the flipside of that is he looks on the verge of a red card most of the time. If Bannan is to be dropped, I'd rather Sylla is played next to Westwood with Zog the advanced midfielder.

[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 .

I just don't see what Delph contributes to justify him ahead of Bannan. Yes he has a little more bite, but the flipside of that is he looks on the verge of a red card most of the time. If Bannan is to be dropped, I'd rather Sylla is played next to Westwood with Zog the advanced midfielder.

I think over his 4 or 5 games Delph has shown a big improvement , with sylla alongside Westwood it gives Delph the chance to get forward a bit more - i agree his tackling and bookings are something he needs to watch .

Nzogbia is an option from the bench if things are going against us , I feel he was a bit unlucky to lose his place as he also has shown an improvement recently.

[PaulWinch again]

Delph brings a better and more competitve balance to the midfield.

[neo_Villan]

Stephen Ireland was training with the first team today. Is he back in contention ?

Bloody hope not. Worst type of player to have in a relegation scrap.

[Rigadon]

If Bent is fit I'd think about starting him with Gabby and Benteke up front.  There are goals in that front 3. 

[eastie]

If Bent is fit I'd think about starting him with Gabby and Benteke up front.  There are goals in that front 3. 

Weimanns movement will cause stoke more problem , bent will be a useful option off the bench.

[neo_Villan]

I think over his 4 or 5 games Delph has shown a big improvement , with sylla alongside Westwood it gives Delph the chance to get forward a bit more - i agree his tackling and bookings are something he needs to watch .

Nzogbia is an option from the bench if things are going against us , I feel he was a bit unlucky to lose his place as he also has shown an improvement recently.

Fair enough. Obviously Delph/Sylla/Westwood hasn't been tried yet so it would be unfair to write it off. I just feel that Stoke is the sort of game where we should be dominating possession and Bannan usually helps in that regard.

[neo_Villan]

If Bent is fit I'd think about starting him with Gabby and Benteke up front.  There are goals in that front 3.

Wouldn't work. He can't play wide and obviously it would be madness to sacrifice Benteke as the central striker to accomidate him.

[Rigadon]

All good points but I just fancy seeing Bent feeding off scraps created by Benteke's hold up play and Gabbys pace and power.  Weimann is injured isn't he?

[ez]

1-1

[paul_e]

All good points but I just fancy seeing Bent feeding off scraps created by Benteke's hold up play and Gabbys pace and power.  Weimann is injured isn't he?

Apparently he's training fully so was just a niggle.

[SoccerHQ]

Has anyone mentioned it is a must win game?

Fulham is the must win game. I would be happy with a point from this.

[ACVilla]

This is the team I have been told is going to play:

                         Guzan

Lowton       Vlaar         Baker        Bennet

             Westwood      Delph

Bowery           Weimann               Gabby

                     Benteke

[Matt Collins]

If Bent is fit I'd think about starting him with Gabby and Benteke up front.  There are goals in that front 3. 

Who play in the two wide positions? Can't see it. Weimann is as much of a goal threat as Bent I think in that sort of position and adds more in terms of assists and general play.