Stoke City vs Aston Villa Match Thread

[Monty]

We are trying to match Stoke up, we should be playing our own game.

Quite right. Of course some sort of compensation to adapt to the opposition is sensible, but this is tactical surrender. Bowery's presence has made us sluggish and predictable in a lot of our attacking when he's been in the side.

[danlanza]

If we don't win today i think the pressure will tell in our remaining games.
I really cannot see QPR beating Wigan tomorrow, so 3 points is the only outcome for us today to stay in the hunt for survival.

[Tuscans]

N'Zog, Karim and Brett must be thinking WTF!

[supertom]

An absolute must win game. Lambert's job is pretty much on the line. He goes and selects a side like this.
What the fuck is he on? 4-2-4? I don't get it. I really don't. We've got 4 strikers on the chuffing pitch.

If Bowery is in for his height, why not keep Sylla in the side instead and have that extra man in the middle of midfield.
Why take height out of the middle and put it on the wing where Stoke are at their smallest?

In-fucking-sanity.

Lambert has to go. For all he's got the right ideas, you cannot manage in this league by making such piss poor selections. I know the match hasn't started yet but this just smacks of cluelessness. I've nothing against Bowery. He works hard but he's clearly not Prem standard, and most definitely not playing wide. Maybe Bowery will play up top alongside Benteke. That might have some logic but I'm pretty sure Lambert will make the cock up decision to play him wide instead.

Why not put N'Zogbia in on the wing and try and put some pace and mobility against Stokes lumbering backline?

I don't see us winning this one. I suspect there'll be a significant change in personal and formation at half time too when PL realises his master plan is bollocks.

Of course he could prove me wrong...but I really, really doubt it.

[Summers]

Bowery, how odd.

[Chris Jameson]

N'Zog, Karim and Brett must be thinking WTF!

And me, I'm 6 foot 2" and useless, must have been in with a shout for either side.

[KRS]

Bowery instead of Sylla. Why?

[shipscat]

Unfortunately for Nzog he was pitiful for his cameo against the Bindippers,otherwise he'd have been well in contention.

 Bowery's playing though because of their set piece threat,Lambert must believe if we cope with that we've got a decent chance of something.

I'm more surprised that we hadnt kept the formation.Stoke struggle against teams that control the tempo of the game.Ideal for our 433.We so need a bit of height in the squad.We wouldnt need Bowery if we had an imposing central mid or a 6 foot full back,as unfortunately the central two(delph and Westwood)are midgets.

[cdbearsfan]

Is Sylla injured?

[Tucson Villain]

Bowery is a strange choice.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

N'Zog, Karim and Brett must be thinking WTF!

I hope they are thinking they need to up their game.

[David_Nab]

N'Zog, Karim and Brett must be thinking WTF!

I have thought the same the last time I saw the latter play ,lucky to make the bench IMO

[JUAN PABLO]

Bowery LOL

Can't see today being a good day. Hope im wrong.

so odd

Stoke are shite   

worse record in 2013 ,  we should play to our strengths , go and win  and they should be worried about us , not worrying about a shite team .   

He obviously wants to keep it 0-0 until late and probably bring Charlie and Bent on last 30 mins to hit them. * hopefully*   

[JUAN PABLO]

N'Zog, Karim and Brett must be thinking WTF!

not KEA but Sylla is fine

[KRS]

May be Lambert intends to hit Benteke and Bowery with long balls to hold up play with Gabby and Weimann grafting in midfield. Pretty sure the inclusion of Bowery is simply one based on defending set pieces and high balls into our box.