Went for a Pessimistic 3-0 defeat to Blackburn. Couldn’t have been happier with the result. Stoke had a poor season last year and they’re rebuilding this. Didn’t start well last week. Can Nathan ‘you’ve been gone too long’ Jones turn it around in a week? We’ll see! Hoping for a win but expecting a draw COYA
I think LB will not want to disrupt things too much from last week and what they have been working on in training this week. Can see Cullen coming in for JFC and a few of the new boys on the bench but reckon LB will still be looking to grind performances out at the moment until he's had a chance to work with the new lads.
I think it'll be quite a physical game - this is Stoke after all - so we'll need Pearce and Pratley. Annoyingly the only August game I'm going to get to so hoping for a good one
Why would we need Pratley for a physical game? What does he bring other than raw height that Kayal, Cullen or Gallagher don't? They're all much quicker than him for a start.
Maybe Pratley should be the one who ceremonially snaps McClean in half. Take the three-month ban, delight our bovine Brexiteer queen-and-country contingent and create a few talking points for the forum
We will get a lot of silly scorelines (happy valley is allowed)
Oi! No snide digs at Happy Valley allowed! At this time of dizzying changes, backtracking and equivocation, he alone is a rock of consistency. His weekly forecast is my comfort blanket.
Agree with you that few of the "brand new" boys will play tomorrow. Would not be fair to them. Try them out v Forest Green with less at stake and three days familiarisation under their belt.
Broke my boycott for the Doncaster game. Have been umming and ahhing about a proper return, but this transfer window has settled it. Not ready to get a ST yet but looking forward to being part of a good crowd tomorrow.
Why would we need Pratley for a physical game? What does he bring other than raw height that Kayal, Cullen or Gallagher don't? They're all much quicker than him for a start.
Experience, match fitness, knowledge of how our defence plays etc
I don't think Bowyer will want to change things too much from last Saturday, especially as most of the loanees have only been with us for a short period of time
Impossible to predict for me as I have no idea what the starting line-up will be. Match fitness will go a long way to deciding who's included. Can't see Bow making TOO many changes from last week but he could fill the bench with some of the newcomers. Would take a 1-1 or 2-2 draw but a win IS achievable, depends if Stoke 'turn up' or not.
I think LB will not want to disrupt things too much from last week and what they have been working on in training this week. Can see Cullen coming in for JFC and a few of the new boys on the bench but reckon LB will still be looking to grind performances out at the moment until he's had a chance to work with the new lads.
I'm minded to agree. Don't think he'll throw in many of the newbies for this one, only Cullen who knows how we play and knows the team
Comments
Think Pratley should and will start with Cullen and JFC.. Lapslie dropping to the bench
2-1 Taylor 2.
No idea what the line up will be, but very exciting with so many to chose from
Hemed (og)
I think LB will not want to disrupt things too much from last week and what they have been working on in training this week. Can see Cullen coming in for JFC and a few of the new boys on the bench but reckon LB will still be looking to grind performances out at the moment until he's had a chance to work with the new lads.
Is that you, Golfie?
This requires hardhead experience.
Oh, well I will have my say anyway.
Can't see Leko starting, Aneke in the hole if he is fit, supporting Taylor.
Cannot see Lee playing the young midfielder's yet, ecsept Cullen
So midfield of Pratley, Cullen, Kayal? and
Williams.
Result. 2 - 2.
Cullen and Leko (impact sub)
To play golf is to spoil an otherwise enjoyable walk.
Agree with you that few of the "brand new" boys will play tomorrow. Would not be fair to them. Try them out v Forest Green with less at stake and three days familiarisation under their belt.
I don't think Bowyer will want to change things too much from last Saturday, especially as most of the loanees have only been with us for a short period of time
There will be quite a few 'on the day' people turning up and I would not be surprised if it peaks out over 20,000 +
Don't think he'll throw in many of the newbies for this one, only Cullen who knows how we play and knows the team