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Post by Linx on Sept 13, 2014 9:47:09 GMT
I think we'll struggle badly in this game, based on almost every game we have played against yo-yo teams and championship sides since we've been in the prem, we never get things right in these games and usually get outfought. Can anyone else think of the last time we played well against a newly promoted team? Burnley was a perfunctory win the laat time they came up.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2014 10:10:31 GMT
Stoke - Still early in the season with a number of new players bedding in. Inconsistent in performances so far, unsure whether Hughes has quite worked out his best first 11, with a number of players returning from International duty; but clearly there's a lot of talent and strength in depth practically unheard of at the club (in my lifetime anyway) and the game isn't just about the starting 11 but the whole squad available on match-day. Also coming off the back of an absolute barnstorming performance at the Etihad Stadium, coming away with a deserved victory against the Champions. Leicester - managed to keep the core of players together from their cracking promotion season last year. Ulloa is an unknown quantity but definitely adds another dimension to their forward play. Have performed well in their first 3 games where, let's be honest, they weren't expected to come away with much. They're clearly on a high and currently playing with 'no fear'; similar to the way a whole host of promoted teams have done for as long as I can recall (with the oft spoken phrase ">insert opposition team here< will completely underestimate us"). The underdog mentality can be a great galvanising factor (as we full well know). However, their squad is not the strongest, and there are some real weak links in their starting 11, and have a number of inexperienced youngsters. It's one thing putting in unexpected performances against the big teams, early in the season when you're still buoyed by the promotion season, it's a complete other when reality hits and the games come thick and fast around Christmas with injuries and suspensions biting you on the arse. Cambiasso could be a masterstroke of a signing; or he could end up being a slow, flat, bit-part player - it will be interesting to see how he does in the Prem. SCFC v LCFC - It really should be a home win, but certainly no walkover. Stoke will be the team that have to press early on and try to get on top; if they do that then it should be a slightly more comfortable afternoon for the Potters. If we're slow to get out of the blocks, or keep knocking it from side-to-side, there's every chance we'll be caught on the break (for 'Delph/Weimann/Z'Zogbia' read 'Ulloa/Mahrez/Schlupp') and if they nick a goal, it could be very difficult for us to break them down. Despite what the locals think (I live in Leicester), they don't play carpet football a la Bayern Munich which can dictate play and the opposition, they are very much like how Stoke were towards the end of our first season in the Premiership; they'll mix it up, they'll look to counter, get to the byline, and knock it into the penalty area. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this and we know full well how effective this tactic is from our own experience. To any Leicester fan reading this (they'll have probably fallen asleep by now though ) the only underestimating I've seen done around these parts is by you boys (and girls); Mark Hughes and his team do their homework on every opposition and brief their players very well (as I'm sure Pearson does), but it does appear that many foxes think we're a poor team full of one-dimensional hoofers. You might be in for a bit of a surprise!
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Post by Los Alfareros on Sept 13, 2014 10:37:55 GMT
I have grown less and less confident as the week has worn on, culminating this morning in my rather disappointing prediction of a 1-1 draw.
Wish I was there.
UTMP
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Post by Bagwash on Sept 13, 2014 10:42:21 GMT
If we get an early goal then could see us hammering Leicester but got a funny feeling it's going be a draw.
Stoke 1-1 Leicester GGGOOOAAARRNNN STOKE
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Sept 13, 2014 10:48:44 GMT
Also I feel like a DRAW this morning. There must be something in the air
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Post by ruts66 on Sept 13, 2014 11:26:33 GMT
I think we will win.
Come on Stokies, in Hughes we trust... :-)
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Post by Ayupshag on Sept 13, 2014 11:28:14 GMT
I was airing on the defeat side yesterday as thoughts of Norwich at home last season crept in but I'm a little more optimistic this morning and am also thinking 1-1
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Post by friendlyfox on Sept 13, 2014 11:35:23 GMT
Rumours are that Kasper is out with an injury. If so, that's going to be a boost for your team - from what I've seen/heard of Hamer, he's a bit shaky.
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Post by Lightwood on Sept 13, 2014 12:11:54 GMT
Rumours are that Kasper is out with an injury. If so, that's going to be a boost for your team - from what I've seen/heard of Hamer, he's a bit shaky. Hope so, Hamer time
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Post by 2004 on Sept 13, 2014 12:13:38 GMT
Rumours are that Kasper is out with an injury. If so, that's going to be a boost for your team - from what I've seen/heard of Hamer, he's a bit shaky. I would rather have flapper Schmiechel tbh.
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Post by crouchbot on Sept 13, 2014 13:06:30 GMT
Hamer starts. Shoot on sight!!!!!
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Post by Silkystoke on Sept 13, 2014 13:21:18 GMT
the Leicester fans aint happy with there team...!!!
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Post by friendlyfox on Sept 13, 2014 13:42:11 GMT
the Leicester fans aint happy with there team...!!! No, not at all. I know Pearson doesn't like to change a successful team, but we haven't won a game yet. In my opinion, he's playing our 4th and 5th best midfielders, and Nugent instead of Vardy. What with Kasper being out aswell, the chances of us winning are a lot worse than I initially thought. Fully expect you to win this.
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Post by cheekymatt71 on Sept 13, 2014 13:42:17 GMT
Come on lads hope they come roaring out of the gates now. We need to get up and at em in the first 5 minutes
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Post by Silkystoke on Sept 13, 2014 13:47:32 GMT
the Leicester fans aint happy with there team...!!! No, not at all. I know Pearson doesn't like to change a successful team, but we haven't won a game yet. In my opinion, he's playing our 4th and 5th best midfielders, and Nugent instead of Vardy. What with Kasper being out aswell, the chances of us winning are a lot worse than I initially thought. Fully expect you to win this. so your best midfield players are on the bench..???? Good luck, but........ you know.!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2014 13:50:47 GMT
the Leicester fans aint happy with there team...!!! No, not at all. I know Pearson doesn't like to change a successful team, but we haven't won a game yet. In my opinion, he's playing our 4th and 5th best midfielders, and Nugent instead of Vardy. What with Kasper being out aswell, the chances of us winning are a lot worse than I initially thought. Fully expect you to win this. Nice one. Get your excuses in nice and early
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Post by cobhamstokey on Sept 13, 2014 13:52:18 GMT
I agree with the lineup. Bojans a luxury player and having Walters covering him gives him more license to roam. I think Crouchy will hold the ball up better than Diouf. Diouf for me suits us far better when we're set up to counter attack because of his pace. Great options on the bench. Gives us the chance to rest the likes of Ireland and GCam till they're ready rather than risk them.
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Post by friendlyfox on Sept 13, 2014 13:54:31 GMT
No, not at all. I know Pearson doesn't like to change a successful team, but we haven't won a game yet. In my opinion, he's playing our 4th and 5th best midfielders, and Nugent instead of Vardy. What with Kasper being out aswell, the chances of us winning are a lot worse than I initially thought. Fully expect you to win this. so your best midfield players are on the bench..???? Good luck, but........ you know.!!!! Pearson is great, but one fault I will pick with him (and I mentioned it earlier in this thread I think) is that he doesn't change a successful team. James and Drinkwater are our two best midfielders, and they're the two who lead us to promotion. They both got injured in the first game vs. Everton though, so we've been playing King and Hammond instead. They both performed fairly well vs. Everton, so Pearson probably thinks they deserve another game, but they're certainly at least our 3rd and 4th choice midfielders (possibly 5th if you include Cambiasso).
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Post by dan55 on Sept 13, 2014 14:00:08 GMT
Should go with Bojan today, perfect game for him to get off the mark
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Post by scfcwebby on Sept 13, 2014 14:00:56 GMT
Goarn Stoke!
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Post by mccfred on Sept 13, 2014 14:07:28 GMT
Shawcross takes a knock...
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Post by redwhite on Sept 13, 2014 14:10:53 GMT
Brilliant run by N'zonzi. Great player.
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Post by mccfred on Sept 13, 2014 14:11:10 GMT
good run from Nzonzi! no finish though....
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Post by ruts66 on Sept 13, 2014 14:12:18 GMT
Oh Stephen N'Zonzi...
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2014 14:15:35 GMT
good run from Nzonzi! no finish though.... He does it EVERY time! A regular gripe of mine; he has an absolute awful shot on him.
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Post by mccfred on Sept 13, 2014 14:19:54 GMT
Great run from Crouch on the corner, but hasn't directed it.... Good stuff from him so far.
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Post by mccfred on Sept 13, 2014 14:22:04 GMT
good run from Nzonzi! no finish though.... He does it EVERY time! A regular gripe of mine; he has an absolute awful shot on him. You're worried about a defensive midfielder's finishing ability?
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Post by swampmongrel on Sept 13, 2014 14:22:53 GMT
All us at the minute.
They'll probably score now.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2014 14:25:56 GMT
He does it EVERY time! A regular gripe of mine; he has an absolute awful shot on him. You're worried about a defensive midfielder's finishing ability? Nope - didn't say worried. Just seems to me that every time he goes on one of those storming runs he gets into a great position but then spoons it.
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Post by PotterLog on Sept 13, 2014 14:26:05 GMT
This keeper's dodgy.
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