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Post by shakermaker on Mar 1, 2024 11:19:00 GMT
In what way is it the kindest fixture mate?They won at Leicester in their last away match Mid table side who lost their last match Massively preferable to playing a side gunning for promotion The big games are the games against the other sides in danger but we need a win and playing a side with nothing on the game is a positive Spin is pressure is all on Stoke and none on Boro Up to Stoke, if we bottle it were fucked hold their nerve, more than capable of winning this game Obviously first goal is key They were excellent against Leicester - pretty much parked the bus and neutered Leicester, then caught them on the break with two excellent goals. In their last match, Plymouth appeared to swamp Boro with their midfield and limit them to very little. With both McNally and Junior out, we need to play three at the back no question. But I think they key to success is getting stuck in, suffocating and frustrating them. Starting Pearson and Burger as the two CMs might not be a bad shout.
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 11:29:45 GMT
Mid table side who lost their last match Massively preferable to playing a side gunning for promotion The big games are the games against the other sides in danger but we need a win and playing a side with nothing on the game is a positive Spin is pressure is all on Stoke and none on Boro Up to Stoke, if we bottle it were fucked hold their nerve, more than capable of winning this game Obviously first goal is key They were excellent against Leicester - pretty much parked the bus and neutered Leicester, then caught them on the break with two excellent goals. In their last match, Plymouth appeared to swamp Boro with their midfield and limit them to very little. With both McNally and Junior out, we need to play three at the back no question. But I think they key to success is getting stuck in, suffocating and frustrating them. Starting Pearson and Burger as the two CMs might not be a bad shout. We need Baker's set piece delivery and goal threat though, without it we won't score.
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Post by shakermaker on Mar 1, 2024 12:01:40 GMT
They were excellent against Leicester - pretty much parked the bus and neutered Leicester, then caught them on the break with two excellent goals. In their last match, Plymouth appeared to swamp Boro with their midfield and limit them to very little. With both McNally and Junior out, we need to play three at the back no question. But I think they key to success is getting stuck in, suffocating and frustrating them. Starting Pearson and Burger as the two CMs might not be a bad shout. We need Baker's set piece delivery and goal threat though, without it we won't score. I don't think Baker has offered much of a goal threat for several games now, set-piece or otherwise. He doesn't impose himself on a game enough for me, something Pearson does (a bit too much at times). He can also provide cover for the LWB when he gets further forward. I'd certainly have Baker as a sub though. Ennis is capable of nabbing a goal - he should have got two against Cardiff. Junho can also be a threat too - maybe that first goal for the club last weekend will have fired him up for this home game.
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Post by lordb on Mar 1, 2024 12:08:07 GMT
Mid table side who lost their last match Massively preferable to playing a side gunning for promotion The big games are the games against the other sides in danger but we need a win and playing a side with nothing on the game is a positive Spin is pressure is all on Stoke and none on Boro Up to Stoke, if we bottle it were fucked hold their nerve, more than capable of winning this game Obviously first goal is key They were excellent against Leicester - pretty much parked the bus and neutered Leicester, then caught them on the break with two excellent goals. In their last match, Plymouth appeared to swamp Boro with their midfield and limit them to very little. With both McNally and Junior out, we need to play three at the back no question. But I think they key to success is getting stuck in, suffocating and frustrating them. Starting Pearson and Burger as the two CMs might not be a bad shout. Yes they were but otherwise their League results in 2024 are poor Must win game
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 12:10:40 GMT
We need Baker's set piece delivery and goal threat though, without it we won't score. I don't think Baker has offered much of a goal threat for several games now, set-piece or otherwise. He doesn't impose himself on a game enough for me, something Pearson does (a bit too much at times). He can also provide cover for the LWB when he gets further forward. I'd certainly have Baker as a sub though. Ennis is capable of nabbing a goal - he should have got two against Cardiff. Junho can also be a threat too - maybe that first goal for the club last weekend will have fired him up for this home game. We tend to force a lot of corners at home, he’s the only one capable of a half decent delivery. He picked rose out 3 times in the last home game and rose really should’ve come away with at least a goal. He’s the only one capable of a free kick like the one at Rotherham and it was from another of his free kicks that bae got his goal last week. In the absence of any other player who can remotely offer a threat from a dead ball he has to play for me. His lack of goal scoring attempts seem to be because he’s operating in a cage. I’m hopeful tomorrow when a win in the only result we can afford, he’ll be given licence to get to the edge of the box opening up shorting opportunities for himself. I’m not his biggest fan, far from it in fact but those abilities I’ve listed above are needed in a must win game. He may pick a midfield of Pearson, burger and baker.
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Post by lordb on Mar 1, 2024 12:20:10 GMT
I don't think Baker has offered much of a goal threat for several games now, set-piece or otherwise. He doesn't impose himself on a game enough for me, something Pearson does (a bit too much at times). He can also provide cover for the LWB when he gets further forward. I'd certainly have Baker as a sub though. Ennis is capable of nabbing a goal - he should have got two against Cardiff. Junho can also be a threat too - maybe that first goal for the club last weekend will have fired him up for this home game. We tend to force a lot of corners at home, he’s the only one capable of a half decent delivery. He picked rose out 3 times in the last home game and rose really should’ve come away with at least a goal. He’s the only one capable of a free kick like the one at Rotherham and it was from another of his free kicks that bae got his goal last week. In the absence of any other player who can remotely offer a threat from a dead ball he has to play for me. His lack of goal scoring attempts seem to be because he’s operating in a cage. I’m hopeful tomorrow when a win in the only result we can afford, he’ll be given licence to get to the edge of the box opening up shorting opportunities for himself. I’m not his biggest fan, far from it in fact but those abilities I’ve listed above are needed in a must win game. He may pick a midfield of Pearson, burger and baker. Baker further forward, no Cundle or maybe Laurent instead of Pearson with both him and Baker breaking forward We have to score a goal or two
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Post by shakermaker on Mar 1, 2024 12:37:41 GMT
We tend to force a lot of corners at home, he’s the only one capable of a half decent delivery. He picked rose out 3 times in the last home game and rose really should’ve come away with at least a goal. He’s the only one capable of a free kick like the one at Rotherham and it was from another of his free kicks that bae got his goal last week. In the absence of any other player who can remotely offer a threat from a dead ball he has to play for me. His lack of goal scoring attempts seem to be because he’s operating in a cage. I’m hopeful tomorrow when a win in the only result we can afford, he’ll be given licence to get to the edge of the box opening up shorting opportunities for himself. I’m not his biggest fan, far from it in fact but those abilities I’ve listed above are needed in a must win game. He may pick a midfield of Pearson, burger and baker. Baker further forward, no Cundle or maybe Laurent instead of Pearson with both him and Baker breaking forward We have to score a goal or two That suggests going four at the back, with Rose and Wilmot as CBs. That's a frightening prospect, especially with McNally and Junior out. I think shoring up the defence has to be the highest priority. We need to score but even more than that, we mustn't concede. A back three will provide something of a foundation (as much as you can call it that with Wilmot, Rose and Hoever).
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2024 12:40:20 GMT
Genuinely looking forward to this game
I don't go as much due to work and being further away, so there's the anticipation of being at the bet365, but also, I love how it kind of feels like it could go any which way...
Another week in the grand soap opera that is Stoke City FC
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 12:42:09 GMT
Baker further forward, no Cundle or maybe Laurent instead of Pearson with both him and Baker breaking forward We have to score a goal or two That suggests going four at the back, with Rose and Wilmot as CBs. That's a frightening prospect, especially with McNally and Junior out. I think shoring up the defence has to be the highest priority. We need to score but even more than that, we mustn't concede. A back three will provide something of a foundation (as much as you can call it that with Wilmot, Rose and Hoever). Iversen Hoever Wilmot Rose Leris Baker Burger Gooch Million Bae Ennis I think you've got a nice balance of everything there, got some hard workers, a smattering of flair and genuine quality and hopefully about the best balanced side we can put out. Do have a feeling we'll see Laurent instead of Million though but we'll see.
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Post by idle on Mar 1, 2024 13:07:23 GMT
That suggests going four at the back, with Rose and Wilmot as CBs. That's a frightening prospect, especially with McNally and Junior out. I think shoring up the defence has to be the highest priority. We need to score but even more than that, we mustn't concede. A back three will provide something of a foundation (as much as you can call it that with Wilmot, Rose and Hoever). Iversen Hoever Wilmot Rose Leris Baker Burger Gooch Million Bae Ennis I think you've got a nice balance of everything there, got some hard workers, a smattering of flair and genuine quality and hopefully about the best balanced side we can put out. Do have a feeling we'll see Laurent instead of Million though but we'll see. Wilmot and Hoever next to each other scares me, and I think the midfield needs more bite. Start Pearson for Baker, and get Baker on when/if we need him. Otherwise, I'm all for it.
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 13:11:47 GMT
Iversen Hoever Wilmot Rose Leris Baker Burger Gooch Million Bae Ennis I think you've got a nice balance of everything there, got some hard workers, a smattering of flair and genuine quality and hopefully about the best balanced side we can put out. Do have a feeling we'll see Laurent instead of Million though but we'll see. Wilmot and Hoever next to each other scares me, and I think the midfield needs more bite. Start Pearson for Baker, and get Baker on when/if we need him. Otherwise, I'm all for it. I do agree about the bite but I've already stated elsewhere today that Baker's delivery from dead balls is needed right now and hopefully if he can start to pop up on the edge of the box again he'll find his shooting boots too. We tend to force a lot of corners at home and vs Cov, he found Rose 3 times who should've walked away with at least one goal as well as his free kick at Rotherham and his effort last week leading to Bae's goal. At the current time whilst we struggle so badly to score, Baker is needed. I'd rather bring Pearson on to close the game out than Baker on to chase it.
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Post by shakermaker on Mar 1, 2024 14:02:02 GMT
Wilmot and Hoever next to each other scares me, and I think the midfield needs more bite. Start Pearson for Baker, and get Baker on when/if we need him. Otherwise, I'm all for it. I do agree about the bite but I've already stated elsewhere today that Baker's delivery from dead balls is needed right now and hopefully if he can start to pop up on the edge of the box again he'll find his shooting boots too. We tend to force a lot of corners at home and vs Cov, he found Rose 3 times who should've walked away with at least one goal as well as his free kick at Rotherham and his effort last week leading to Bae's goal. At the current time whilst we struggle so badly to score, Baker is needed. I'd rather bring Pearson on to close the game out than Baker on to chase it. I have noticed Baker tends to look for Rose more often than anyone else at set pieces, but all opportunities have come to nothing. I don’t think those three you mention that Rose put his head on against Coventry were anything threatening. The free kick he scored from was a long time ago now – he hasn’t scored since, nor come close to doing so. I think Baker is a bit of a wild card to come on from the bench, but I don’t think his set pieces are a critical aspect of our play by any stretch. If Baker played as a box-to-box who gets forward into shooting areas but was prepared to get back and cover the LWB, that could be an option. I would prefer that as an option from the bench though rather than from the start. I think Pearson's bite would be more effective from the start and show Middlesbrough they're in a game.
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Post by idle on Mar 1, 2024 14:05:54 GMT
Wilmot and Hoever next to each other scares me, and I think the midfield needs more bite. Start Pearson for Baker, and get Baker on when/if we need him. Otherwise, I'm all for it. I do agree about the bite but I've already stated elsewhere today that Baker's delivery from dead balls is needed right now and hopefully if he can start to pop up on the edge of the box again he'll find his shooting boots too. We tend to force a lot of corners at home and vs Cov, he found Rose 3 times who should've walked away with at least one goal as well as his free kick at Rotherham and his effort last week leading to Bae's goal. At the current time whilst we struggle so badly to score, Baker is needed. I'd rather bring Pearson on to close the game out than Baker on to chase it. Depends on the gameplan really. The problem is that Baker is shite at sitting back but good if we're hoping to score from a set piece, while Pearson is useless (as the rest) at set pieces, but good at breaking up play when sitting back. Not sure if he'd be alright balancing an attacking side. So each option has drawbacks. Either way, Boro will crucify us if we try to outplay them, so anything other than a disciplined performance is kinda mad IMO.
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 14:11:51 GMT
I do agree about the bite but I've already stated elsewhere today that Baker's delivery from dead balls is needed right now and hopefully if he can start to pop up on the edge of the box again he'll find his shooting boots too. We tend to force a lot of corners at home and vs Cov, he found Rose 3 times who should've walked away with at least one goal as well as his free kick at Rotherham and his effort last week leading to Bae's goal. At the current time whilst we struggle so badly to score, Baker is needed. I'd rather bring Pearson on to close the game out than Baker on to chase it. I have noticed Baker tends to look for Rose more often than anyone else at set pieces, but all opportunities have come to nothing. I don’t think those three you mention that Rose put his head on against Coventry were anything threatening. The free kick he scored from was a long time ago now – he hasn’t scored since, nor come close to doing so. I think Baker is a bit of a wild card to come on from the bench, but I don’t think his set pieces are a critical aspect of our play by any stretch. If Baker played as a box-to-box who gets forward into shooting areas but was prepared to get back and cover the LWB, that could be an option. I would prefer that as an option from the bench though rather than from the start. I think Pearson's bite would be more effective from the start and show Middlesbrough they're in a game. Neither has anyone else and the goal last week came from a Baker free kick that was well saved, can you say confidently anyone else in the starting line up would force a save from the keeper in that position? because I can't. In a must win game, surely you play the player who is probably most likely to contribute to us scoring when we struggle so badly to find goals from elsewhere? Plus Pearson has been a liability when he's played, for whatever reason he's just not been anywhere near as good as he was this time last year and he was only half fit then too. If he gets booked early doors, it completely nullifies his game and he becomes a passenger.
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Post by dirtygary69 on Mar 1, 2024 14:18:39 GMT
Genuinely looking forward to this game I don't go as much due to work and being further away, so there's the anticipation of being at the bet365, but also, I love how it kind of feels like it could go any which way... Another week in the grand soap opera that is Stoke City FC I am too, but my bowels tomorrow morning are going to be ruinous.
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Post by idle on Mar 1, 2024 14:24:33 GMT
I have noticed Baker tends to look for Rose more often than anyone else at set pieces, but all opportunities have come to nothing. I don’t think those three you mention that Rose put his head on against Coventry were anything threatening. The free kick he scored from was a long time ago now – he hasn’t scored since, nor come close to doing so. I think Baker is a bit of a wild card to come on from the bench, but I don’t think his set pieces are a critical aspect of our play by any stretch. If Baker played as a box-to-box who gets forward into shooting areas but was prepared to get back and cover the LWB, that could be an option. I would prefer that as an option from the bench though rather than from the start. I think Pearson's bite would be more effective from the start and show Middlesbrough they're in a game. Neither has anyone else and the goal last week came from a Baker free kick that was well saved, can you say confidently anyone else in the starting line up would force a save from the keeper in that position? because I can't. In a must win game, surely you play the player who is probably most likely to contribute to us scoring when we struggle so badly to find goals from elsewhere? Plus Pearson has been a liability when he's played, for whatever reason he's just not been anywhere near as good as he was this time last year and he was only half fit then too. If he gets booked early doors, it completely nullifies his game and he becomes a passenger. "Passenger" is just what I'd describe Baker as if it wasn't for his set pieces. Delap was a thoroughly average player, but he had two things, the throw ins and the work rate. I wish Baker had more work rate, as I think his passing is average and too often backwards. But we still need him. Pearson have been in poorer form, but should get a chance to show improvement. It happens that players have bad spells.
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 14:32:08 GMT
Neither has anyone else and the goal last week came from a Baker free kick that was well saved, can you say confidently anyone else in the starting line up would force a save from the keeper in that position? because I can't. In a must win game, surely you play the player who is probably most likely to contribute to us scoring when we struggle so badly to find goals from elsewhere? Plus Pearson has been a liability when he's played, for whatever reason he's just not been anywhere near as good as he was this time last year and he was only half fit then too. If he gets booked early doors, it completely nullifies his game and he becomes a passenger. "Passenger" is just what I'd describe Baker as if it wasn't for his set pieces. Delap was a thoroughly average player, but he had two things, the throw ins and the work rate. I wish Baker had more work rate, as I think his passing is average and too often backwards. But we still need him. Pearson have been in poorer form, but should get a chance to show improvement. It happens that players have bad spells. I do agree mate wholeheartedly with Baker, I've criticised so many times in the past but I just feel tomorrow could be the type of game where he pops up with the game defining moment. In a must win game, you need to have as many match winning moment type players on the pitch as possible and we don't have many as it is!
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Post by FullerMagic on Mar 1, 2024 14:49:06 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible?
Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else!
Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough
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Post by milky on Mar 1, 2024 15:01:35 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible? Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else! Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough Take away the ( freak ) 4 goals in the first game against Rotherham, we have scored a paltry 8 ,yes EIGHT goals in the other 17 games. Pathetic, disgraceful, embarrassing plus a word that's probably not even being invented yet.
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Post by Gary Hackett on Mar 1, 2024 15:03:40 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible? Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else! Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough That really is alarming isn't it, especially considering we've got an attack minded manager
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 15:11:33 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible? Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else! Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough Heads should honestly roll, I don't know whose but they should How utterly, utterly, depressing.
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Post by mamathestriker on Mar 1, 2024 15:11:37 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible? Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else! Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough So we don't score in pretty much 50% of our home games. It's mind blowing. Fan's fault though.
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Post by shakermaker on Mar 1, 2024 15:18:30 GMT
I have noticed Baker tends to look for Rose more often than anyone else at set pieces, but all opportunities have come to nothing. I don’t think those three you mention that Rose put his head on against Coventry were anything threatening. The free kick he scored from was a long time ago now – he hasn’t scored since, nor come close to doing so. I think Baker is a bit of a wild card to come on from the bench, but I don’t think his set pieces are a critical aspect of our play by any stretch. If Baker played as a box-to-box who gets forward into shooting areas but was prepared to get back and cover the LWB, that could be an option. I would prefer that as an option from the bench though rather than from the start. I think Pearson's bite would be more effective from the start and show Middlesbrough they're in a game. Neither has anyone else and the goal last week came from a Baker free kick that was well saved, can you say confidently anyone else in the starting line up would force a save from the keeper in that position? because I can't. In a must win game, surely you play the player who is probably most likely to contribute to us scoring when we struggle so badly to find goals from elsewhere? Plus Pearson has been a liability when he's played, for whatever reason he's just not been anywhere near as good as he was this time last year and he was only half fit then too. If he gets booked early doors, it completely nullifies his game and he becomes a passenger. That Baker free kick you refer to wasn't a particularly hard one to save and the keeper should have held it. It was the parry that made the opportunity for Junho to score. I think it's a hard one for tomorrow because we need to be scoring goals, but for me Baker is only really a goal threat when he gets forward and I think the only way that can be achieved is if he's one of the two CMs in a 4-3-3... and going with Wilmot and Rose as CBs would be suicidal. When Baker is one of the deeper CMs, you're only really relying on his set pieces but one lucky parry aside against Cardiff, his set pieces have come to nothing. That doesn't mean we don't use him later in the game, but this team needs confidence from the off and not conceding is paramount. Pearson from the start provides that bit of grit that will help settle the team and help them find their stride. If he's a wazzock and gets carded early, by all means let's take him off and put Baker on.
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Post by LGH87 on Mar 1, 2024 15:48:55 GMT
How is this home goalscoring run even possible? Tempting to get Baker and Campbell in, but then when you see them actually play, you want someone else! Rotherham ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽ Watford ⚽ Preston Hull ⚽ Southampton Sunderland ⚽ ⚽ Leeds ⚽ (own goal) Cardiff Blackburn Sheff Weds Swansea ⚽ (pen) Millwall Ipswich Birmingham ⚽ Leicester QPR ⚽ Cov ------------------ Middlesbrough How many of the goalscorers of those goals will start tomorrow? I'd hazard a guess there won't be a single team across all 4 leagues tomorrow with less goals scored in it than ours.
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Post by Old School Stokie on Mar 1, 2024 16:05:25 GMT
just for the immediate run in, we should play like an away team keeping it tight at the back and counter attack. Lets face it we haven't scored playing any other way so for me its needs must until safety is achieved. Then summer & next season we can recruit to fit the team he wants to play how he wants because at the moment its a load of MIS Fits
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Post by scfcno1fan on Mar 1, 2024 16:27:46 GMT
I was confident earlier in the week.
But now I can just see us limping to a 1-0 defeat….
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Mar 1, 2024 16:39:13 GMT
Judgement Day this one for me
Win and all looks a lot better
Lose and in serious plop
Have to agree with the chap above though...limping to a 0-1 defeat seems inevitable
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Post by stokefanone on Mar 1, 2024 17:52:13 GMT
Let us hope that Jonny walters has been able to I still some sense of urgency to this set of cardboard cutouts we mistakenly call footballers. Lose tomorrow and relegation beckons, see no other outcome. 🙏
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Post by Bojan Mackey on Mar 1, 2024 19:48:11 GMT
Fixtures for the sides around us tomorrow play massively in our favour except Rotherham vs Sheff Weds which we could do with being a stalemate.
We simply have to win this game at all costs.
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Post by lordb on Mar 1, 2024 20:02:56 GMT
Baker further forward, no Cundle or maybe Laurent instead of Pearson with both him and Baker breaking forward We have to score a goal or two That suggests going four at the back, with Rose and Wilmot as CBs. That's a frightening prospect, especially with McNally and Junior out. I think shoring up the defence has to be the highest priority. We need to score but even more than that, we mustn't concede. A back three will provide something of a foundation (as much as you can call it that with Wilmot, Rose and Hoever). Rose and Wilmot were excellent against Cov, they can do it We need goals, don't fancy a back 3 without McNally (amazed at the calls for Clarke) However whatever formation or players we go with need to take the game to them, if the crowd are going to start noisy then the team need to be attacking from the off ,
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