Stoke General Chat & Starting XI Thread

[Takeshi Kovacs]

I'd expect Adam to be used as an impact player off the bench most of the time. Think Whelan and Van Ginkel will be the most used partnership in midfield (assuming we don't get someone else in), with Bojan playing further forward when fit.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Wrexham 0 v 6 Stoke tonight.

Goals for Diouf, Walters (2), Joselu, Van Ginkel and Telford.

No one scored against us from open play so far.

[ctibbits]

Wrexham 0 v 6 Stoke tonight.

Goals for Diouf, Walters (2), Joselu, Van Ginkel and Telford.

No one scored against us from open play so far.

And Van Ginkel looked stellar right?

[helmethead]

I'd expect Adam to be used as an impact player off the bench most of the time. Think Whelan and Van Ginkel will be the most used partnership in midfield (assuming we don't get someone else in), with Bojan playing further forward when fit.

Thanks, very helpful, will be giving Adam a miss then.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

I'd expect Adam to be used as an impact player off the bench most of the time. Think Whelan and Van Ginkel will be the most used partnership in midfield (assuming we don't get someone else in), with Bojan playing further forward when fit.

Thanks, very helpful, will be giving Adam a miss then.

First transfer window is short, so time to observe him and potentially transfer in if you see he's getting a lot of game time.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Wrexham 0 v 6 Stoke tonight.

Goals for Diouf, Walters (2), Joselu, Van Ginkel and Telford.

No one scored against us from open play so far.

And Van Ginkel looked stellar right?

Could be decent value at 2m.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Bojan expected to get some game time away at Brentford this weekend.

[mucker]

Just wanted to know who you guys think will be Stoke's CB pairing for the first game of the season? I assume Shawcross...but who will partner him?

[Takeshi Kovacs]

In my opinion, Marc Muniesa.

Shawcross has been suffering from a back niggle, so not absolutely 100% to make the game (though I suspect he will).

[Matty B]

anyone fancy giving me a steer on stokes regular back four and that for the first game assuming no shawcross .. am guessing

Butland --- johnson, muniesa, shwacross ??

no idea who plays left back ?

[morganb]

In my opinion, Marc Muniesa.

Shawcross has been suffering from a back niggle, so not absolutely 100% to make the game (though I suspect he will).

Stoke have confirmed that defender and club captain Ryan Shawcross is to have an operation next week on a recurring back problem.

The club say Shawcross will miss the first two months of the season.

from http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/33590089

[Takeshi Kovacs]

anyone fancy giving me a steer on stokes regular back four and that for the first game assuming no shawcross .. am guessing

Butland --- johnson, muniesa, shwacross ??

no idea who plays left back ?

Tricky one, as we have some players still relatively unfit, like Johnson. Without Shawcross, the centre backs are likely to be Wollscheid and Muniesa. Erik Pieters will be at left back. Right back is up for grabs between Johnson (though probably not 100% fit so might be overlooked), Bardsley (owned the jersey most of last season), or even Geoff Cameron.

Complicated by the fact that Marc Wilson could also slot in as centreback, as could Geoff Cameron.

Bit of a minefield.

The only certs I'd say, would be Pieters (no competition really) and Muniesa.

[SUZYKINS]

anyone fancy giving me a steer on stokes regular back four and that for the first game assuming no shawcross .. am guessing

Butland --- johnson, muniesa, shwacross ??

no idea who plays left back ?

Tricky one, as we have some players still relatively unfit, like Johnson. Without Shawcross, the centre backs are likely to be Wollscheid and Muniesa. Erik Pieters will be at left back. Right back is up for grabs between Johnson (though probably not 100% fit so might be overlooked), Bardsley (owned the jersey most of last season), or even Geoff Cameron.

Complicated by the fact that Marc Wilson could also slot in as centreback, as could Geoff Cameron.

Bit of a minefield.

The only certs I'd say, would be Pieters (no competition really) and Muniesa.

Isnt there doubts re-Wilson ?
Jack
Johnson, Muniesa, Geoff/Collywobbles/Wilson, Pieters

Not happy with Ryans backup Rather Huth there! Cameron probably best option but fear it the Gay German

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Yes, doubts all round.

Erik Pieters will play, so will Muni, but anyone's guess then. Probably Wollscheid given doubts around Wilson, but right back......Cameron?, Bardsley?, Johnson?

Geoff Cameron is one of the fittest players we have at the moment, so that could work in his favour.

Anyone looking to Stoke players in first transfer window...my message is the most likely 'definite' representatives are Pieters and Muniesa.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Erik Pieters injured again today.

Marc Muniesa played well and at £1.5m, think he's going to prove a bargain.

Glen Johnson had a good game, and I think that's his position to lose now (as Bardsley might be off). Geoff Cameron played fine at centre back.

Affelay had a promising start til tiring. Van Ginkel was a little quiet.

Without Shawcross, Bojan or Arnautovic, not the strongest line-up we could have unleashed, but we coped well with Liverpool until Coutinho's bit of magic.

Interesting to see Shaqiri in the Stoke executive box. He won't will he??

[murf]

TV said Pieters went off cos he was ill.

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Xherdan Shaqiri will be a Stokie tomorrow!

[murf]

Enter Shaqiri but at whose expense?

[Takeshi Kovacs]

John Walters most likely. Not agreed a new contract yet. Might be moved on. Probably Tony Pulis will have him at West Brom. Odemwingie signed a recent extension I think. Ireland's place in squad must be

[murf]

Thought that was a possibility. Shame as I have Walters in a squad/auction game....

[SunderMan]

What are Arnies chances of getting straight back into the side next game?

And who is the better pick Arnie or Shaqiri?

[Hotstepper]

Anyone know what the story is with Glen Johnson? Showing as 75% 'knee injury', which I don't like the sound of

[Beerfuelledman]

He's now red flagged showing an unknown return date...

[Jagduracell]

Knee Ligament injury in the Bournemouth game apparently

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Bournemo ... story.html

[Beerfuelledman]

Absolutely. That article is from 13/2 though when he limped off on 53mins and had been yellow flagged. The yellow flag has now become a red flag though - so the injury must have been determined to be worse than thought (though I cant find a more up to date source than your link).

[the pom]

Long term injury mate !!!!

[Takeshi Kovacs]

My view of the likely team, given our current players:

Jack Butland (nailed on when fit)

Glen Johnson (should be ahead of Phil Bardsley)
Ryan Shawcross (his back injuries worry me though)
Phillip Wollscheid (faces competition e.g. Marc Muniesa but should hold down the role for a while, unless we go in big for a centre back - rumours of Michael Keane from Burnley)
Erik Peters (should have the left back spot nailed down)

Glenn Whelan (defensive midfielder, and our best breaker-up of moves - however, given new acquisitions, may be rotated)
Joe Allen (new buy - should be automatic selection)
Giannelli Imbula (record buy last season, so unlikely to be omitted)

Marko Arnautovic (just signed a new four year deal - yay! and will be automatic choice - normally plays left wing, scores goals / creates assists....might even be tried up-front)
Xherdan Shaqiri (should hold down the left sided role, or roving role)

Mame Biram Diouf / Bojan (tough one to call, depends how Hughes will set up - will he want a regular striker, or play without a recognised striker and play Arnautovic in an advanced role - think there's a risk in selecting either until we know Hughes plans, or until we know if we're signing Berahino)

Very excited about our new Egyptian wonderkid Ramadan Sobhi, who comes with a very high reputation, but could start off from the bench.

Charlie Adam (if he stays) will be a bit part player. Can't see Jon Walters being a regular starter, but if he stays could make an impact from the bench. Crouch's game time will be limited - he might move on. Can't see Marc Wilson staying / getting much action without injuries. Bardsley should be back-up right back for Glen Johnson. Affelay is injured and out for a while. Geoff Cameron should be no more than a utility backup.


Prediction for top points scorer - Marko Arnautovic

Come on you Mighty Potters!

[murf]

Marko Arnautovic (just signed a new four year deal - yay! and will be automatic choice - normally plays left wing, scores goals / creates assists....might even be tried up-front)
Xherdan Shaqiri (should hold down the left sided role, or roving role)!

Both left sided or typo???

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Good spot - should be right side for Shaq (though he could easily play left too).

[Takeshi Kovacs]

Diouf and Bojan scored in a win against Orlando last night, in heat and humidity. Ryan came through a full 90. Hughes been trying 3 at the back. Hope he cuts that out when the season starts.