Stoke(home)predictions

[Saxo1man41]

Don't know why they put Downing on free kicks though, as he isn't very good at them.. no power.

[AucklandRover]

Don't know why they put Downing on free kicks though, as he isn't very good at them.. no power.

It's a good point, Saxo. Set pieces are where we miss Charlie most.
When you look at Armstrong's size, you wonder if it wouldn't be better for him to be taking the kicks.

[champs95]

moving forwards, when we play Barnsley away shorty, I can imagine quite a few will expect us to simply turn up, play ok and walk away with 3 points. Because to some, football is by numbers. On paper, which football isn't played, you will look at the relative positions and presume form and that will be a big part, and its 3 points to us.
In reality, which is the tougher game? Bristol or Swansea at home? Who will come and attack us, or them? Or Luton or Wigan?
I believe the hardest tests will be the bottom 3 away.

[AucklandRover]

moving forwards, when we play Barnsley away shorty, I can imagine quite a few will expect us to simply turn up, play ok and walk away with 3 points. Because to some, football is by numbers. On paper, which football isn't played, you will look at the relative positions and presume form and that will be a big part, and its 3 points to us.
In reality, which is the tougher game? Bristol or Swansea at home? Who will come and attack us, or them? Or Luton or Wigan?
I believe the hardest tests will be the bottom 3 away.

I agree that it's very hard to work out in advance which teams will "suit" us better. Annoyingly, I don't think Stoke would have played the same game, if they hadn't been coming off the back of a few performances where they had tried to play in a more positive style, but conceded several goals.
Apparently (this is according to my cousin), BC aren't very good at the "stifling" game. They have conceded 51 goals. On the other hand, Swansea do seem to have a well-organised defence. Mind you, it's getting to the stage of the season where teams looking for a play-off spot will surely be trying to get three points, rather than one.
I see there are some other key clashes this weekend: Cardiff/Brentford; Fulham/PNE; Millwall/BC. Interestingly, Brentford do seem to have hit a sticky patch, and Bristol City have to stage a huge psychological recovery after what was apparently a truly dire performance against Huddersfield, midweek.
All very intriguing. I actually enjoy the twists and turns when I haven't got my Rovers blinkers on!
If I'm truly honest, none of the Championship teams this season look anything like PL standard!