Stoke 2012/13 General Chat & Starting X1 Thread

[kizkiz]

Thread for stoke chat

[plasticninja]

Can someone shed light on what Stoke strongest line up is barring injuries.

[SUZYKINS]

Can someone shed light on what Stoke strongest line up is barring injuries.

Bego
Wilko
Huth
Shawcross
Wilson
Pennant
Palacios
Whelan
Ethers
Crouch
Walters

Not our best line up but probably the one TP will favour

[plasticninja]

Can someone shed light on what Stoke strongest line up is barring injuries.

Bego
Wilko
Huth
Shawcross
Wilson
Pennant
Palacios
Whelan
Ethers
Crouch
Walters

Not our best line up but probably the one TP will favour

Okay thanks.
Is Wilson nailed on as LB,and just out of interest what line up would you prefer?

[checkii]

so is Begovic going to be the nailed on starter, or should we expect a fair amount of rotation with Sorenson?

[SUZYKINS]

Can someone shed light on what Stoke strongest line up is barring injuries.

Bego
Wilko
Huth
Shawcross
Wilson
Pennant
Palacios
Whelan
Ethers
Crouch
Walters

Not our best line up but probably the one TP will favour

Okay thanks.
Is Wilson nailed on as LB,and just out of interest what line up would you prefer?

rumours we are signing a couple but would like a proper LB in & Wilson playing in his true position in centre midfield.
Would like a quick striker to play alongside Crouch but if not for Jerome to be given a run there.

[SUZYKINS]

so is Begovic going to be the nailed on starter, or should we expect a fair amount of rotation with Sorenson?

Another rumour is that Bego being looked at by bigger clubs again but would say its Begovics position to lose.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Begovic (Sorensen to probably play Carling & FA Cup unless dip in Bego's form)
Wilkinson / Cameron (New acquisition Cameron could take over from Wilkinson at RB; Shotton sometimes plays here)
Huth
Shawcross
Wilson (we're rumoured to be looking for a left back e.g. Olssen, so Wilson could be moved into midfield)
Pennant (think he's gradually falling out of favour with Pulis - we're in the market for another winger)
Palacios (looks fitter / slimmer in pre-season so could be year when he steps up to the plate)
Whelan (challenged by Whitehead / Delap)
Etherington (should play most games; Ness may have some gametime here)
Crouch
Walters (Pulis seems to like him & plays him often although many Stokies think he's limited)

I wouldn't rule out a few key purchases between now and end of the transfer window which could shake things up a lot.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Walters has scored in two of the pre-season friendlies in the USA.

[ctibbits]

Anyone seen or read any better indication on if Begovic or Sorrenson will be the number 1?

[Takeshi Kovacs]

No noises coming out but it will be Begovic to start, and his to lose.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Stoke have signed Geoff Cameron from Houston Dynamo; plays centreback or defensive midfielder, so that means Pulis will play him right back.

Looks like Michael Kightly will be joining from Wolves; rumours that Pennant could be on his way out (but hope not).

Has Sebastian Boenisch on trail, playing left back. He's a free agent from Werder Bremen who played left back for Poland in the Euros. Has done pretty well in the 2 trail games, so here's hoping.

The Michael Owen rumour won't go away. Not sure what I think of that one.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Stoke drew 1-1 away to Greuther Furth tonight. Micael Kightly made his debut, scored and had a good game. The other to impress was new recruit from the MLS Geoff Cameron, who started off as defensive midfielder, then slotted back into the haert of defence when Upson went off. Looked most unlike a Stokie, as he showed some skill and ball control.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Michael Owen to Stoke on a two year deal anyone?

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Stoke have finally signed a left back.

Season long loan for Dynamo Kiev's Macedonian international Goran Popov.

[organdonor47]

so you'd think that's it for wilson then this season?

[SUZYKINS]

so you'd think that's it for wilson then this season?

He is a better Rb !

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Think Wilson will still get plenty of play time. As Suzykins says, he could be shifted to right back (although we have Geoff Cameron who could also be tried there). He coould also move forward into midfield, alongside Palacios.

[SUZYKINS]

Think Wilson will still get plenty of play time. As Suzykins says, he could be shifted to right back (although we have Geoff Cameron who could also be tried there). He coould also move forward into midfield, alongside Palacios.

So our midfield could be
Etherington Wilson palacious pennant

[blahblah]

Veing linked with Villa's Dunne on the BBC Gossip page. A marriage made in heaven? But then how many CB's does Pullis want?

[the pom]

Veing linked with Villa's Dunne on the BBC Gossip page. A marriage made in heaven? But then how many CB's does Pullis want?

Cover in case higginbotham and upson go

[blahblah]

Where are they supposed to be going?

[the pom]

Where are they supposed to be going?

Higginbotham - Championship side
Upson - may be staying (hope so) with Huth's recovery (but like every transfer window with Stoke we never really know)

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Think Wilson will still get plenty of play time. As Suzykins says, he could be shifted to right back (although we have Geoff Cameron who could also be tried there). He coould also move forward into midfield, alongside Palacios.

So our midfield could be
Etherington Wilson palacious pennant

Think one of Ethers or Pennant might leave.

Also, what about Kightly?

I'd like to see:

Begovic

Wilson
Huth
Shawcross
Popov

Pennant
Cameron
Palacios
Kightly

Crouch
Walters/Jerome/Jones

Subs:

Etherington
Jones/Jerome
Whitehead
Ness
Upson
Wilkinson

Would prefer us to get another striker like Defoe to partner Crouch up front.

[organdonor47]

Think Wilson will still get plenty of play time. As Suzykins says, he could be shifted to right back (although we have Geoff Cameron who could also be tried there). He coould also move forward into midfield, alongside Palacios.

grand, thanks for the info you two.

[SUZYKINS]

Think Wilson will still get plenty of play time. As Suzykins says, he could be shifted to right back (although we have Geoff Cameron who could also be tried there). He coould also move forward into midfield, alongside Palacios.

So our midfield could be
Etherington Wilson palacious pennant

Think one of Ethers or Pennant might leave.

Also, what about Kightly?

I'd like to see:

Begovic

Wilson
Huth
Shawcross
Popov

Pennant
Cameron
Palacios
Kightly

Crouch
Walters/Jerome/Jones

Subs:

Etherington
Jones/Jerome
Whitehead
Ness
Upson
Wilkinson

Would prefer us to get another striker like Defoe to partner Crouch up front.

Would like to see Mark Wilson in midfield for a couple of games, after all thats what we paid so much for

Shots or Cameron at RB ? although Wilko never lets us down there but Pulis clearly doesnt rate him

[blahblah]

What are your lot's hopes, fears and expectations for the season?

[mikek2010]

question from Houston, TX....

Just watched Cameron dominate at CB and US win 1:0 against Mexico in Mexico.. 1st in 75 years!

..so what are the chances Cameron will start for Stoke? will he play MF? could be some serious FF VFM here... if he starts..

your thoughts gentlemen?

[the pom]

question from Houston, TX....

Just watched Cameron dominate at CB and US win 1:0 against Mexico in Mexico.. 1st in 75 years!

..so what are the chances Cameron will start for Stoke? will he play MF? could be some serious FF VFM here... if he starts..

your thoughts gentlemen?

Reckon LB / RB or with Palacios in the CM position

This as a Stoke fan is the question we are all asking ....

With Upson being cover for Shawcross / Huth, my opinion is

ATM

Begovic

Wilson
Shawcross
Huth(Upson sub)
Popov - permit permitting

Pennanat / Kightly / Walters
Cameron / Whelan(sub)
Palacios / Whitehead(sub)Delap(sub)
Etherington / Kightly / Jerome

Crouch
Walters / Jerome / Defoe - when he arrives

Jones swap with Villa players changes everything again

[Takeshi Kovacs]

I hear the Popov deal has gone t1ts up due to work permit issues.

Cameron will feature regularly (if not TP wants shooting).

Unlikely to feature at left back in my opinion. I think we will buy a propoer left back, and if not Wilson will play there.

Huth and Shawcross will be our centre back pairing (once Huth is fit again).

So, Cameron will either play right back (hope not), or as a defensive midfielder in front of the back two (hope so).

Whatever happens, he looks a good buy on what I've seen so far.