Team for Stoke

[mil1lion]

I'm not so sure it'll be any different against Stoke than it was away to Fulham (aside from set pieces). Modric played ok in that game. Not great, but enough to help us play the better possession football. We need to play to our strengths in this one, and without Huddlestone in the middle, we always struggle with this part of our game. Modric is capable of playing that role, even if it takes a little away from his own game. Until Huddlestone returns, i would like to see Modric continue doing the job in the middle.

 

[DJS]

might have to agree with Kendall on this one, as we all know stoke will double up on Bale if he plays left midfield, and will also use their aerial advantage in CM to win alot of ball

There's only space in Kendall's arse for one! :twisted:

 

[Kendall]

Probably not true actually, I have a gaping rectum and I do enjoy propelling my voice from it.

 

[$hoguN]

Thats fine, you can freely have that spot... I reckon pace will cause them problems so would like to see Bale getting a run at them when they are not doubling up on him

 

[Boxset Dan]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8742z_modriy-v-stoke-city_sport

:hello:

You could play a game on Fifa and only go on runs and do everything with one specific player and still not be as dominant as Luka was that day.

Fair enough it was at the Lane but still, he was awesome.

For me I still stick to the same team and if anything Pavlar out Crouch in.

Give the ball to Bale alot or play Modric for the through balls to JD.

 

[stevethfc]

Lets not change a winning team. Bale and Ekotto proved me wrong and were effective on the left together, i think we should see more of this partnership.

Change the team for Jenas? Hell no

 

[Dinpomp]

Lets have a look at the highlights of Modric from last time at their gaff?

Oh, there wasn't any.

The point is that in that game against Stoke (video) he played in the middle and they did try to (literally) kick him off the pitch! Yet he ran the show!

I'm not saying he'll do it every single time, but it's obvious he's capable of it. Just as rational as it is to say "with Modric in the middle they'll kick us off the pitch" it is to say "with Modric in the middle we'll play them off the pitch."

 

[Kendall]

The point is that in that game against Stoke (video) he played in the middle and they did try to (literally) kick him off the pitch! Yet he ran the show!

I'm not saying he'll do it every single time, but it's obvious he's capable of it. Just as rational as it is to say "with Modric in the middle they'll kick us off the pitch" it is to say "with Modric in the middle we'll play them off the pitch."

It's a completely different kettle of fish though. I remember Zokora being particularly great in that game too, didn't mean he solved our defensive midfield problems did it?

 

[yid0]

Modric will be fine. He played against very physical opposition in the Bosnian league, so is used to a tough battle and has better players around him now.

because in the last game against them at home they kicked the shit out of us.

 

[Dinpomp]

Who said anything about "solving" anything?

I responded to the post about "with Modric in the middle Stoke will kick us off the pitch" with video evidence suggesting otherwise.

 

[Kendall]

Who said anything about "solving" anything?

I responded to the post about "with Modric in the middle Stoke will kick us off the pitch" with video evidence suggesting otherwise.

At home is always different though. You only have to look at our results against Bolton, another kicking team to see that.

 

[Son_Of]

a fwe of you seem to think stoke away is an easy game. this was a nightmare last year

 

[There's always next year]

Pitch ain't that good up at The Britannia, which will prevent us from getting it down. I expect another Wolves away, where they pressed, harried and out muscled us.

 

[Boxset Dan]

a fwe of you seem to think stoke away is an easy game. this was a nightmare last year

Chelsea, Utd, Birmingham, Arsenal are the only teams to win at the Britania Stadium this season and if Chelsea and Utd hadn't played them away so early in the season it might have been fewer.

Still have Spurs, Hull, Bolton, Everton to play at home this season though.

Is one of the hardest places in the league to win away at but do-able. Especially when you really need the win.

 

[haxman]

because in the last game against them at home they kicked the shit out of us.

They beat us 2-1 and we finished the game with 9 men. That was one of Ramos last games for us iirc, and we're a much improved side on that one last year. If we play to our strengths we'll be ok.

 

[alfiespurs]

I for one am always nervous.. in fact I just hate Stoke with apssion, another team that plays the UGLIEST football in the league. I think they are going to do the double over us ! These THUGS are a disgrace. If there is any justice, we should get a WIN and put us in good shape for the Fulham game ! A BIG COYS !!!!

 

[DJS]

Lets not change a winning team. Bale and Ekotto proved me wrong and were effective on the left together, i think we should see more of this partnership.

Change the team for Jenas? Hell no

Nah, sorry you're not Kendall so your opinion means nothing I'm afraid... :snooty:

 

[leffe186]

might have to agree with Kendall on this one, as we all know stoke will double up on Bale if he plays left midfield, and will also use their aerial advantage in CM to win alot of ball

What's so bad about them doubling up on him anyway? More space for Pav & Defoe then, and for Luka to find them.

 

[sparx100]

Because, much like Ledley King, Kaboul is a centre-half who also plays as a holding midfielder, and 'Arry has played him before (including for us, and, as you note, he did a good job). By the same token, as you have apparently missed the extensive debate on this, Bale is a full-back, and Modric is a left-sided midfielder, so do you want to stick two (TWO) square pegs into round holes.

Please feel free to use your initiaitive on this: Stoke are a big, strong, physical side who just love to pour one high ball after another into the box. And it is an away game. Having a very combative and physically strong player in midfield, who is also going to be a thrid centre-half when Stoke get into their inevitable thang of chucking the ball into the area as much as possible, who is also better than Bassong in the air (IMHO), may actually be a noon for us (or am I mistaken). So, aside from playing Bale and Modric out of position, (and, yes, I know, Modric can be tenacious in midfield), just what is Modric gonna bring to the party under these circumstances - just how many of the Stoke players is he gonna outjump? Just how many is he gonna outmuscle in the area (which is very different from using upper body strength on the run)?

This is Stoke we are playing:shrug:

My point was that Kaboul was ok - nothing special - nothing suggested that he could do a job in the middle or that I would want him to.
Ledley proved at international level that he could do a defensive midflelder role - we know that is a possibility, but in his condition unlikely.

I cannot recollect Kaboul being used regularly in the midfield role by Harry at Portsmouth - I can only take your word for it, but my opinion of him as a footballer indicates that in my opinion he would not be able to do the job.

We can chuck a tall player in midfield who cannot do anything with the ball to deal solely with a throw on, or we could actually look to the other players - Gomes, Corluka, Dawon, Bassong, Bale and Pav (all over 6 foot) to deal with that threat when it occurs. I would rather concentrate on putting a team together that looks to take it to Stoke rather than looking to nullify a one dimensional team.

Who is better qualified to play in the middle? Modric or Kaboul? Not reallly any argument there in my opinion - Modric adds the finesse to Palacios's hard work and determination to win back the ball.

As for Bale being a square peg - I can see your point in relation to my comment, but seeing that Bale has been consistently one of our best players since his re-introduction into the team and ripped Blackburn apart, who is to say that he is not as adept at LM as he is LB.

 

[DC_Boy]

a big question is will Crouch start?

a lot will depend if we've worked out any tactics for dealing with their main threat - mr delap - and whether crouch is needed for them