|
Post by adi on Aug 2, 2019 7:40:50 GMT
Can’t be any worse than vs Leeds last season... 😅 Yes that's true. It was awful. We were so off the pace it was unreal. Then got a foothold in the game and threw it away immediately. Also I wouldn’t want to play those who don’t want to be here or that we are trying to shift, be that BMI, Badou, Imbula, or Wimmer. Otherwise I’ve no doubt we will see a repeat of Leeds with Badou looking like he’d rather be in front of a firing squad than on the pitch.
|
|
|
Post by dirtygary69 on Aug 2, 2019 7:43:50 GMT
I'll punch myself in the head if he starts Bruno.
|
|
|
Post by shrewspotter on Aug 2, 2019 8:06:55 GMT
I hope it will be
Butland Edwards Collins Batth Ward
Cousins Allen Clucus Powell
Campbell Vokes
But I think it will be
Butland Smith Batth Bruno McClean Cousins Allen clucus Powell Afobe Vokes
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Aug 2, 2019 8:15:37 GMT
Eze was excellent for them last season here, apart from him have they got any real dangermen?
|
|
|
Post by dirtygary69 on Aug 2, 2019 8:35:34 GMT
Eze was excellent for them last season here, apart from him have they got any real dangermen? Angel Rangel was lethal last season.
|
|
|
Post by jimigoodwinsbeard on Aug 2, 2019 8:45:53 GMT
Buzzing for Saturday! My team would be.... Butland Smith Batth Collins Mcclean Cousins Allen Clucas Powell Afobe Vokes I think you've nailed it. That is the guaranteed line up barring a late injury.
|
|
|
Post by benjaminbiscuit on Aug 2, 2019 8:49:37 GMT
I think you've nailed it. That is the guaranteed line up barring a late injury. Not sure that’s what people are expecting but ince etebo and Badu could all male the bench
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Aug 2, 2019 12:52:32 GMT
www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/live-stoke-city-press-conference-3164696A pivotal season for you and the club?NJ: We’ve talked quite a lot and had a few months to bed in, and now it’s a bit of a moment of truth. We’ve had a very good pre-season and a good group and now we have to hit the ground running. You never know what’s down the line, but it’s an important season, as is any season. We have to be challenging, whether it’s pivotal, you don’t know. Players mentally strong enough?NJ: We want to play winning football and if we can win and entertain, brilliant, but I want to win. There were expectations last year after coming from the Premier League, but realism set in and the Championship is a gruelling minefield. We’ve brought players used to that slog, or players we feel are equipped for that, or players with a hunger. So we have a good blend of hunger and mentality, and ability. Plus there was already good players and characters already in the building. Injuries?NJ: Only Ryan Shawcross. Tom Ince is fit and available, but lacks a bit of match sharpness. We feel we are in good shape after being together for a pre-season. We would like to improve, but they will have to have real quality. QPR?NJ: We know as much as we can about them after five pre-season games. Mark (Warburton) has put his stamp on them, but we are at home and you have a better chance of winning at home. Hopefully, it will be a real good atmosphere and we can deliver a result. Message to fans?NJ: I think there’s a real optimism around the place. I sense it from fans and events I’ve done and it’s important we repay that. If the crowd can respond to an upbeat performance then hopefully that’s the first stage of the journey. Last year, we laid foundations, now is the time I hope people judge me. We had to change a few things and we did that. Players know the team tomorrow?NJ: Yes, we’ve prepared over two days. We have worked on certain things and we are clear in what we want to do. But there’s a lot of tough decisions. I had them last year, but they are different decisions now. Pre-season gone according to plan?NJ: But for Ryan’s injury and the missed pen we would have gone unbeaten, so I am really, really pleased and apart from Ryan everyone has come through fit and strong. They’ve got a real good base, but now the real work starts. Pre-season allows you to play relatively pressure free, but now we want to play with a winning mentality. Not many goals in frienldies?NJ: Well, we scored in every game and I would take that in the next six games. If you think there’s a God given right to win by five and six you’re on a different planet to me. We could have played Joe Bloggs United and then you might have been happy! We believe we have got a squad that will score goals. More signings?NJ: If we can improve what we have, then we will do those marginal gains and that’s what transfer windows should be because we don’t want to have to overhaul. We want to keep bringing in quality.
|
|
|
Post by benjaminbiscuit on Aug 2, 2019 13:20:56 GMT
Tough decisions
Etebo ? badou ?
Ince will be on the bench in sure but if etebo is fit he’s start for me rest or no rest next two home games look tricky and three will have gone by the end of August and a decent start is a distant memory
|
|
|
Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Aug 2, 2019 13:36:51 GMT
Maybe the tough decisions are Edwards and possibly even Davies, who might have come here expecting to be first choice.
|
|
|
Post by franklin66 on Aug 2, 2019 14:05:37 GMT
I'll repeat my prediction here, we will tonk them.
5-1
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Aug 2, 2019 14:12:30 GMT
Team Prepared for two days so no chance Bruno playing unless the move to Besiktas as pure bullshit
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Aug 2, 2019 14:13:01 GMT
|
|
|
Post by cobhamstokey on Aug 2, 2019 14:48:32 GMT
I love his positivity but at some points he needs to back it up with wins. Are we improved from last season? I’m not sure we are. The only player that I think will improve our first 11 will be Powell as the jury’s out on Cousins. Hopefully the big difference will be fitness and mentality. Such a shame we’ve been hamstrung by previous mad management and not been able to spend more but I’d rather we stayed where we are than were the next Bolton. I don’t think we’ll go up with our current squad I’d expect us to finish around mid table. Still think we’re a striker, DM and LB away from challenging.
|
|
|
Post by sealion100 on Aug 2, 2019 15:25:50 GMT
Good luck to stoke city, Nathan Jones, the team and all who support The potters in the coming season
|
|
|
Post by franklin66 on Aug 2, 2019 15:41:25 GMT
I love his positivity but at some points he needs to back it up with wins. Are we improved from last season? I’m not sure we are. The only player that I think will improve our first 11 will be Powell as the jury’s out on Cousins. Hopefully the big difference will be fitness and mentality. Such a shame we’ve been hamstrung by previous mad management and not been able to spend more but I’d rather we stayed where we are than were the next Bolton. I don’t think we’ll go up with our current squad I’d expect us to finish around mid table. Still think we’re a striker, DM and LB away from challenging. Maybe the improvements are in attitude, application and desire rather than in names? Time will tell though....
|
|
|
Post by uskstokie on Aug 2, 2019 16:10:42 GMT
From what I saw in pre season this would be my team
Butland Smith ................... Collins .............Batth.............McLean Cousins
Verlinden ................... Allen Powelll
Vokes........................ Cambell
|
|
|
Post by heworksardtho on Aug 2, 2019 16:18:52 GMT
Put all the squads names in a hat and draw the first 11 out , that way we will piss this tin pot league 😎
|
|
|
Post by cobhamstokey on Aug 2, 2019 16:54:30 GMT
I think it’ll be
Jack Smith Batth Collins McClean Allen Cousins Clucas Powell Vokes Afobe
Our best current lineup When all fit
Butland Smith Ryan Collins Clucas NDaiye Allen Etebo Powell Gregory Vokes
What we need before deadline
...........................Butland....................... Smith............Batth......Collins..........new ...............................new......................... ...............Allen....................Etebo.......... ..............................Powell...................... ....................Vokes..............new.............
|
|
|
Post by franklin66 on Aug 2, 2019 17:47:05 GMT
I think it’ll be Jack Smith Batth Collins McClean Allen Cousins Clucas Powell Vokes Afobe Our best current lineup When all fit Butland Smith Ryan Collins Clucas NDaiye Allen Etebo Powell Gregory Vokes What we need before deadline ...........................Butland....................... Smith............Batth......Collins..........new ...............................new......................... ...............Allen....................Etebo.......... ..............................Powell...................... ....................Vokes..............new............. New LB I agree wholeheartedly the other two positions could already be in the squad in Badou and Campbell if we can get one on board and the other given a shot.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2019 18:12:33 GMT
For an opening game of the season, and with a conservative manager, possibly scared of losing his momentum from the beginning, it would be tempting to go for the more experienced defender on the books in BMI. However a lot must have gone through the Dutchman's mind this week, such as 'I'm finally leaving that club behind', or, 'the club has let on that they're willing to drop me off', so you would have to question whether his mind is in the right place, just this week. So I would select Collins (who was always going to my personal choice for the 17-18 years).
Then I would also have to question whether the manager has had the good sense to look critically at his own decision making regarding the position in the team which is the elephant in the room's. For this match, and with Lindsay unable to support, I would gently touch those smiling Irish eyes on the shoulder and whisper many sweet things in his ears, but tell him, for the next 45 games, you're my man, but vs QPR we need a steady pair of feet, so I'm selecting Ward.
So: Butland - Smith, Collins, Bath, Ward - Cousins - Allen, Clucas - Powell - Campbell, Gregory.
Then after Ward has a blinder in the game, Jones being Jones will forget all his promises and leave McClean on the bench the whole season...
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2019 18:14:39 GMT
That is the guaranteed line up barring a late injury. Not sure that’s what people are expecting but ince etebo and Badu could all male the bench Not if the latter two are still on holiday.
|
|
|
Post by benjaminbiscuit on Aug 2, 2019 19:46:58 GMT
I’d actually argue we start tomorrow without 4 key players Etebo , badou,, Lindsay , shawcross , plus Ince not March fit good test of squad depth so early , fancy the first eleven will look quite different by the autumn
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Aug 2, 2019 19:51:05 GMT
I’d actually argue we start tomorrow without 4 key players Etebo , badou,, Lindsay , shawcross , plus Ince not March fit good test of squad depth so early , fancy the first eleven will look quite different by the autumn Plus whoever we sign on Thursday
|
|
|
Post by LL Cool Dave on Aug 2, 2019 20:38:39 GMT
Top of the league this time tomorrow.
STOKE 3 QPR 0
Believe!
|
|
|
Post by GeneralFaye on Aug 2, 2019 21:17:19 GMT
I'm not one of those who have anything particular against Ince but I'll be disappointed if he's on the bench instead of Verlinden.
|
|
|
Post by GoBoks on Aug 2, 2019 21:46:36 GMT
Terrible showing from Stoke! Why aren't we 3-0 up yet? I demand someone's head rolls for this!
|
|
|
Post by GoBoks on Aug 2, 2019 21:48:31 GMT
I'll punch myself in the head if he starts Bruno. Please, please, please, NJ ..... You know you want to do it! ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/800541/images/KYqg3pYeaerc5lD_P7BR.gif) (I take it you mean a full bodied KAPOW kind of punch and not a little lovetap?)
|
|
|
Post by GoBoks on Aug 2, 2019 21:55:40 GMT
Tough decisions Etebo ? badou ? Ince will be on the bench in sure but if etebo is fit he’s start for me rest or no rest next two home games look tricky and three will have gone by the end of August and a decent start is a distant memory or ... by the end of August, the decent start could have been achieved?
|
|
|
Post by benjaminbiscuit on Aug 2, 2019 22:36:42 GMT
Tough decisions Etebo ? badou ? Ince will be on the bench in sure but if etebo is fit he’s start for me rest or no rest next two home games look tricky and three will have gone by the end of August and a decent start is a distant memory or ... by the end of August, the decent start could have been achieved? Was only Suggesting that aug has 3 home games and traditionally we’ve struggled not there we won’t start well I think Nathan gives us the best chance for a while of at least Starting well
|
|