Officially official Stoke Match Thread!

[rurikbird]

I'm quibbling, but it'll be 4-2-1-3 with Lallana and Ibe pushed up higher than they would be in a 4231.

I don't remember seeing 4-2-1-3 in the real word. Which team plays like that? I would think if you push wingers so far up that they become wing-forwards, you need inverted triangle in midfield, otherwise there would be huge gaps between the wing-forwards and midfield. Right now if you look at the game we have an edge in possession, but Ibe and Lallana's positions are clearly not so far advanced to be called forwards.

 

[Mystic]

Games crying out for Firmino.

 

[Fabio]

Fuck me this is crappy

Fixed

 

[Red Mullet]

Its like we spent a shit ton of money and nothings changed

Disconnect between midfield and attack

So much is riding on firmino I feel sorry for him

He can shoulder it. It's a South American culture thing

 

[FoxForceFive]

Benteke looked sluggish going for that through ball from coutinho.

He's struggling for full match fitness I'd guess, his movement off the ball is limited, like he's saving himself.

 

[Squiggles]

Stepover 40 yards from goal towards the touchline draws cheers

If you had watched Stokes football for the last 15 years you would do the same!

 

[Fabio]

Great ball for Ibe, brilliant megs, and then wins a free kick

 

[Fabio]

Shit free kick

 

[Fabio]

He's struggling for full match fitness I'd guess, his movement off the ball is limited, like he's saving himself.

I hope it's that

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Zzzzzz

 

[Shadey]

It's got an Ings winner written all over this.

 

[tony]

Kind of makes you wonder why you looked forward to the new season so much

 

[Fabio]

It's got an Ings winner written all over this.

Least he'd fucking move for the ball

 

[Oncy]

In what world is that a yellow?
Its a trip.
His first of the game.

 

[Squiggles]

Benteke starting to come short looking to get more involved. In his favour he's winning the aerial battle up top. Little else can be said though.

 

[Fabio]

Charlie Adam just skilled Henderson

 

[Fabio]

Get to fuck

 

[Dahuge]

He's struggling for full match fitness I'd guess, his movement off the ball is limited, like he's saving himself.

If he is saving himself he can fuck off now. You start as you mean to go on, you don't think I'll only try in 5 games when I am a bit stronger.

He is doing as much as balotelli did

 

[Fabio]

Benteke starting to come short looking to get more involved. In his favour he's winning the aerial battle up top. Little else can be said though.

Least balo won free kicks

 

[Oncy]

Poor game.
At least we arent getting smashed like last year.
I'd take a 0-1 all day long.

 

[willby]

WTF with the back passes?

 

[Squiggles]

Skills by Johnson followed by another awful cross. No change there.

 

[keniget]

Coutinho not involved enough.

Hope we improve as time goes on but what I've seen so far is unfortunately validating a lot of my concerns.

 

[Skullflower]

Benteke's wank

 

[FoxForceFive]

If he is saving himself he can fuck off now. You start as you men to go on, you don't think I'll only try in 5 games when I am a bit stronger.

He is doing as much as balotelli did

I meant like saving his energy for a good opportunity to get a goal or run etc, so not pressing knowing he'll run himself out within the first half.

He's only played one match in all pre season.

 

[cloggypop]

0:0 after half an hour is a massive improvement on last season.

 

[Fabio]

Benteke's wank

He's the fluffer for ings

 

[rurikbird]

We're starting to lose the plot

 

[Leo]

I don't like the way benteke runs.
It's like his legs are trying to catch his head.

 

[Fabio]

I meant like saving his energy for a good opportunity to get a goal or run etc, so not pressing knowing he'll run himself out within the first half.

He's only played one match in all pre season.

It's Rodgers justifying his big money purchases.

I would have started ings or Origi, as at least they've kicked about a little bit, and play a pressing game