Stoke City vs Aston Villa pre-match thread

[silhillvilla]

Some good news, lawro has us down to lose (0-2)

[Deano's Mullet]

stoke 2-0 villa

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm already nervous.

Bumder.

I've told you, we get to Stoke, sort aht the N40 in their main boozer, have a few sherberts and a couple of lines, cause some more agg on the way to ground and have it away wiv ne1 who wants it. Sorted.

Will you be dishing out slaps and causing people to have it away on their toes? How is your ability to jump up and down on the spot while shouting "come on then!"?

I have won trophies for my ability to jump up and down behind a line of police.

[Legion]

I have a medal for the quickest scarpering and hiding somewhere safe.

[Gregorys Boy]

Luckily we have two winnable games after this.  Stoke are strong at home, are coming off the back of a very good season last time, and would have had a more settled pre-season than us.  2-0 to them.  0-0 would suit me though.

[Matt Collins]

Surely we'll start n'zogbia. He's looked more dangerous than the other three combined

I am tempted with bent but the obvious risk is that playing bent invites 90 minutes of constant pressure as we fail to keep the ball. I think he needs to play in a two and that means a diamond or a 532

[Matt Collins]

In fact, there's no way bent should start

He's scored two tap-ins against Mansfield, did fuck at at Fulham, looks overweight and can't play the no 9 role. There's no way he should start

[nodge]

Vicar in a tutu draw.

[SteveN]

A backs to the wall 0-0.

[darren woolley]

1-1 Draw for me.

[silhillvilla]

A backs to the wall 0-0.

Would be happy with that .

[Matt Collins]

Lambert quotes on vlaar not brilliant.

He has a year left on his current contract, and asked on Thursday about the chances of Vlaar signing a new one at Villa Park, Lambert said: "To be fair to Ron, he has not come to us or anything.

"We have had little chats here and there, but I think his main concern was getting back after the World Cup, getting fit and hopefully being ready for Saturday (Villa's Premier League opener at Stoke).

"That is where he has been. I have a good rapport with Ron, so I don't have any problem with that whatsoever."

Then asked whether he thought Vlaar would remain loyal to Villa, Lambert replied: "I don't know. I'm not sure there is loyalty in football any more. So we'll have to wait and see."

[Witton Warrior]

Lambert quotes on vlaar not brilliant.

He has a year left on his current contract, and asked on Thursday about the chances of Vlaar signing a new one at Villa Park, Lambert said: "To be fair to Ron, he has not come to us or anything.

"We have had little chats here and there, but I think his main concern was getting back after the World Cup, getting fit and hopefully being ready for Saturday (Villa's Premier League opener at Stoke).

"That is where he has been. I have a good rapport with Ron, so I don't have any problem with that whatsoever."

Then asked whether he thought Vlaar would remain loyal to Villa, Lambert replied: "I don't know. I'm not sure there is loyalty in football any more. So we'll have to wait and see."

Is it me or does Lambert come across as a bit wet and ineffective?
He does himself no favours does he...

[PeterWithesShin]

Last time I went to Stoke was ace. Glorious weather, the Lowton goal and the brilliant terrace mental the followed, and the fantastic 4 on 1 in the last minute. With the 1 being their goalie and no other Stoke player in the same postcode. I'll take a similar day out on Saturday.

[Legion]

So would I. Last time I went was the return of Pulis just after half-time and the inevitable.