Stoke City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[ciggiesnbeer]

I hope we win. Just to avoid the pity party that lights up my twitter feed after we lose/draw/dont win in good enough style.

[Steve kirk]

Even if Benteke is out I fancy us to secure a point so 2-2 it is.

[dekko]

The ITK on Villa Talk (who in fairness is pretty reliable) is suggesting that Herd will be CB (because he is good in the air) and Baker is playing at LB because of Stoke being good at set pieces and he'll be more reliable on the back post.  Also said that Bacuna won't start and Kozak will.

[supertom]

The ITK on Villa Talk (who in fairness is pretty reliable) is suggesting that Herd will be CB (because he is good in the air) and Baker is playing at LB because of Stoke being good at set pieces and he'll be more reliable on the back post.  Also said that Bacuna won't start and Kozak will.

I'd have gone with that back line personally. I'd like to get Baker out of the middle. In terms of left back he's not brilliant, but there's no expectation with him to get forward, so we can have him quite disciplined. He's less of a nightmare on the left side than Moon at the moment, put it that way.

Herdy I think is better as an anchor in midfield, but obviously for want of better options I don't mind sticking him in CH. He played well last time out, but the Baker gave him  a hell of a lot to do.

[dekko]

Hes also heavily hinting that Tonev and Albrighton will start, and:

There will be width

I'll believe it when I see it

[supertom]

Hes also heavily hinting that Tonev and Albrighton will start, and:

There will be width

I'll believe it when I see it

Good. If Tonev can get a bit of composure and consistency in his delivery, he could be good. He does get beyond fullbacks, I'll give him that.

If we get enough service for Kozak to attack in the box, he will score.

[Dave Clark Five]

I like Herd but would prefer him in midfield. You can guarantee he will work hard wherever he plays. Despite him not being very popular, I would still give Hutton a game while we are paying his wages.

[eastie]

Long since given up on trying to guess lamberts team selection -I have no worries about herd though - he's committed and gives his all wherever he plays - a better defensive midfielder but if we need him in defence , so be it.

I would have thought he may stick with baker to deal with the aerial threat of crouch , this won't be a classic but I'd take another smash and grab performance today .

[supertom]

I like Herd but would prefer him in midfield. You can guarantee he will work hard wherever he plays. Despite him not being very popular, I would still give Hutton a game while we are paying his wages.

Once Vlaar is fit I wouldn't mind seeing Herd anchoring in midfield. Allow Delph and Westwood a bit more freedom.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I like Herd but would prefer him in midfield. You can guarantee he will work hard wherever he plays. Despite him not being very popular, I would still give Hutton a game while we are paying his wages.

Once Vlaar is fit I wouldn't mind seeing Herd anchoring in midfield. Allow Delph and Westwood a bit more freedom.

I like Herd's steel in midfield, but he can be a bit rash at times in the tackle and give away silly free kicks deep in our own half. Wherever he plays today, deep midfield is his best position, imho.

[tim]

Got to win this one, surely. Not keen on the condensed mid-table so a few points to get safely in the top half is much needed. I can see us getting 6 or 7 points from the next 3 games so for once I'm feeling positive.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

I hope he has worked out that Tonev is really not very good.

Anybody but Tonev please

I dunno. There's something I like about him but he really has to stop shooting every time he gets the ball.

[Monty]

I hope he has worked out that Tonev is really not very good.

Anybody but Tonev please

I dunno. There's something I like about him but he really has to stop shooting every time he gets the ball.

We're agreed on that. He takes on players, he's always moving with and without the ball, he gets himself into great position and then he fires one into the stands. If he shot more judiciously he'd be terrific.

[eastie]

I hope he has worked out that Tonev is really not very good.

Anybody but Tonev please

I dunno. There's something I like about him but he really has to stop shooting every time he gets the ball.

We're agreed on that. He takes on players, he's always moving with and without the ball, he gets himself into great position and then he fires one into the stands. If he shot more judiciously he'd be terrific.

Agreed, he brings a much needed tempo to our game and at least shows some forward urgency - his shooting can be a bit disconcerting but there's something in his game that suggests he could be a useful player for us .

[supertom]

I hope he has worked out that Tonev is really not very good.

Anybody but Tonev please

I dunno. There's something I like about him but he really has to stop shooting every time he gets the ball.

We're agreed on that. He takes on players, he's always moving with and without the ball, he gets himself into great position and then he fires one into the stands. If he shot more judiciously he'd be terrific.

Agreed, he brings a much needed tempo to our game and at least shows some forward urgency - his shooting can be a bit disconcerting but there's something in his game that suggests he could be a useful player for us .

He's trying too hard to impress at times I feel. A bit more composure when it comes to his final ball, or shot, and his end product should improve. We've seen from his youtube vid (granted...a youtube vid) that he's capable of scoring spectacular goals.
I'm hoping he gets into the swing of things in the second half of the season. I would hope it's just a matter of composure.