We must avoid a defeat and come away with at least one point. Sad to say, but l think it will be 3-0 to Stoke. I really hope not
1-4 to us is my prediction. Tomorrow the board's all smiles and we wonder what we ever worried about. Gray x2, Deeney and Richie with the goals. That choopy-motor fella with a late consolation for them.
Like most I don't post when we win. Only post for a moan me. Apart from when we're talking about Amrabat, who I wish was coming back.
According to my car's (not altogether) reliable temp gauge they can't actually afford any C in Stoke at all. I'm not feeling positive about how many of our totally committed players will perform tonight in the cliche that is a cold January night game in Stoke. There's sleet and snow over them there hills. Oh well I'm off to the pub to warm up the vocal chords. First away game of the season for me so positivity will return after the odd beer of five.
Why on earth did you choose this mate as your first away game of the season? This along with Spurs are the ONLY ones I chose to miss from day one! Let’s hope your trip has been worthwhile and we come away with a convincing win (just about the only positive that can come out of a winter night trip to Stoke).
There is also the positive that you'll be leaving there at the end of the match. Imagine having to live there.
Although we do beat Newcastle a lot, I find the area and stadium itself a complete dump. The journey there and the weather is usually ***** too
I’ve only been there once, this season, and it’s already one of my favourites. I like the hilly backdrop, the compactness of the stadium (which itself is pretty unique - how many stadia are pretty much right in the town/city centre?), the view even if it’s sometimes hard to make out even our own players from up in the Gods, it has a China town nearby and the Geordie accent is hilarious. But each to their own... What are your favourite away trips? Others of mine are Swansea, Arsenal and West Brom has grown on me, it’s a pretty good trip as far as Snow Hill. Bournemouth sounds good but I keep missing it.
I personally like Bournemouth, Arsenal, West Ham and Southampton (in the Prem) Muff - because they are daaahn Saaaff and the compact away section brings out a good atmosphere (though it is a very small allocation) Arsenal - A nice sized allocation and we tend to get good results there. Easy to get to as well West Ham - Big stadium, big seat allocation, good atmosphere in the away end. I like throwing bottles at false cockneys too Southampton - Not a bad view in the away section and the atmosphere tends to be decent I like going to Brighton but this season, the football was just dire and the train journey home was just long and depressing
With the transfer window shutting tonight - what do you lot reckon on us picking up a couple more injuries during the game (that would normally be 1 missed match max in any other club, but would mean at least 2-3 months for us)? My money's on Cleverley suffering a recurrence of his hamstring - out for rest of the season; and/or Deulofeu pulling something (insert Stoke slapper gag here) or being on the end of a heavy challenge - out for a minimum 6 weeks with a bruise known medically as a "Britos". I'm certain that we'll lose more players to injury before we see Chalobah and Hughes in the same team.
Good to see that Gracia is continuing the Silva habit of playing Deeney against big, physical centre backs he gets no change out of but would be vulnerable to pace. Looking forward to our next home match against a struggling team where we'll inevitably play Gray when there's no space for him in behind. Also, I thought he said he'd watched every game this season. Even Silva realised that Capoue is ******* dreadful in the advanced centre midfield role!
Watford 30Karnezis 27Kabasele 5Pr*dl 6Mariappa 25Holebas 16Doucouré 8Cleverley 11Richarlison 29Capoue 7Deulofeu 9Deeney Mapps RB? Substitutes 2Janmaat 18Gray 22Zeegelaar 28Carrillo 35Bachmann 37Pereyra 40Stewart
Standing in the Power League bar next to the ground and most Stoke fans are less confident than us. Can we both lose? Interesting looking team
Mapps at right back I'm guessing. The last time he played there he did have a bit of a stinker against Bristol City in the Carabao Cup, although he did score. Janmaat needed dropping. He wasn't great defensively last season, but since his injuries he's completely lost it. No pace, and is so easily beaten.
