Team vs Stoke (away)

[AngerManagement]

A win today isn't essential. Our season won't implode if we fail to take 3 points.
Happy with a point to keep the unbeaten run going

True,

but if you have designs on being a top four team full time and even more so if you plan to develop into a title challenging team than a draw at a place like Stoke is very much two points dropped.

Do you think the likes of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Liverpool would look at Stoke as a game where a win is not essential?

The unbeaten run is all well and good but the bottom line is QPR went to Stoke the other week and brought back all three points and we are more than capable and should be doing the same and in all honesty anything less than a win will be a bad result for us (especially with a much tougher run of fixtures around the corner)

 

[CosmicHotspur]

True,

but if you have designs on being a top four team full time and even more so if you plan to develop into a title challenging team than a draw at a place like Stoke is very much two points dropped.

Do you think the likes of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Liverpool would look at Stoke as a game where a win is not essential?

The unbeaten run is all well and good but the bottom line is QPR went to Stoke the other week and brought back all three points and we are more than capable and should be doing the same and in all honesty anything less than a win will be a bad result for us (especially with a much tougher run of fixtures around the corner)

Couldn't agree more. We used to come apart against teams in the middle to lower half of the table and we're too good to let that happen now.

There's always the chance of one of those teams having a game above their level and us having a not so good day, but please...

... don't let it happen today. :-|

 

[ShelfSide18]

True,

but if you have designs on being a top four team full time and even more so if you plan to develop into a title challenging team than a draw at a place like Stoke is very much two points dropped.

Do you think the likes of Man U, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Liverpool would look at Stoke as a game where a win is not essential?

The unbeaten run is all well and good but the bottom line is QPR went to Stoke the other week and brought back all three points and we are more than capable and should be doing the same and in all honesty anything less than a win will be a bad result for us (especially with a much tougher run of fixtures around the corner)

Lets not also forget however, that Man Utd and Chelsea have only come away from the Britannia with a point, and Liverpool got beaten too. Stoke have been indifferent this season, but this is still a tough fixture.

 

[AJW]

Someone has sent a message on the BBC live text saying King, Bale, Defoe and Modric all out. Hopefully BS

 

[ajspurs]

Lets not also forget however, that Man Utd and Chelsea have only come away from the Britannia with a point, and Liverpool got beaten too. Stoke have been indifferent this season, but this is still a tough fixture.

Exactly. I don't think the likes of United, Chelsea etc. would be greatly displeased with a draw at Stoke. They obviously go there intending to win but I don't think they're majorly disappointed if they only get a draw. It really is one of if not the most physical away game of the season, if Stoke are up for it, which I think they are even more for the bigger games.

I don't buy the whole 'if we're title contenders this is a game we have to win'. The season is obviously made up by many games and as long as not winning away games against the lower teams isn't a common theme, we'll still be very near the top come the end of the season.

 

[There's always next year]

Someone has sent a message on the BBC live text saying King, Bale, Defoe and Modric all out. Hopefully BS

Why Modric?. The other three have been doubts all week.

If ths is the case then it's Gallas, Pienaar, VDV and Sandro who will come in. With the exception of Pienaar, not too bad replacements.

 

[tommo84]

Someone has sent a message on the BBC live text saying King, Bale, Defoe and Modric all out. Hopefully BS

That text is the exact reason I've come into this thread (hoping someone would explain more about these 'rumours floating around' that the texter referred to.

If we are without those 4 then that's a massive blow, but I can't understand why Modric would be out. :shrug:

 

[camaj]

A win isn't essential but if we lose it means we've got to turn another game from a loss to a win, or turn two draws into wins. Clearly that's not easy and there isn't a cushion that would limit the damage

 

[steventhfc]

JJ said everyone is fit. Complete bollocks I trust him over some bellend with a phone.

 

[Keano]

JJ? Jenas or Joe?

 

[chrissivad]

Stuck at work, so if anyone wants todo the match thread then go for it

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Heard livermore is starting!

 

[degoose]

Where's the official thread also I doubt all four are out and if modric is missing then sandro should be the replacement

 

[nedley]

Really cant see why livermore would be starting - unless Sandro is crocked

 

[tommo84]

Starting to get a very bad feeling about today. Hopefully these rumours are just that.

At the moment not a lot of it makes any sense to me.

 

[ajspurs]

Yea I'm starting to get scared over the rumours too. Really hope we have an almost fully fit team.

 

[alfiespurs]

I am having a bad feeling about this. This is one ground, I just hate going to.. COME ON LADS, we need the three points.

 

[spurs18]

Bale is definitely playing. They just showed him arriving at the Britannia Stadium with his kitbag.

 

[stormfly]

We will win 4 - 2.

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

just showed bale and modric on sky going into changing rooms. lots of smiles from modric!