Team News

[baggieal]

Gilchrist - Wallace and Dike all starting with Mikey on the bench! Is Ramsey a moron?

Wallace and Dike run slower than an old chap in a care home!

[Omegstrat6]

From the Stoke website:
O'leary, Gilchrist, Phillips, Mepham, Styles, Mowatt, Molumby, Wallace, Price, Jimoh-Aloba, Dike.

Subs: Griffiths, Imray, Taylor, Diakite, Johnston, Maja, Heggabo, Whitwell, Bostock

I guess that Gilchrist is in because Campbell still out injured (along with Bielik) and with Illing Junior now departed, Grant out and Mikey injured, Wallace gets a start. Looks like some enforced changes tbf, though why Dike ahead of Heggabo I don't know. I'd love him to do well but can't see it. Just hope Jimoh-Aloba proves himself and at least Whitwell and Bostock on the bench.

Don't know the formation yet and really hope that Ramsay plays one more suited to their abilities and stops trying to fit square pegs into round holes but the main thing today is that they all show fight and competitiveness. The injury list doesn't help of course (especially with Mikey) but it is what it is.

[baggieal]

Fit enough to be on the bench then fit enough to start and a player can easily come off!!!

[Leicesterbaggie]

If he plays the correct system, with those available, it is probably as good a line up as can be expected.

[Omegstrat6]

Fit enough to be on the bench then fit enough to start and a player can easily come off!!!

Tend to agree as it would normally be best to start Mikey, see if he can have an impact and then sub him later to give him a rest. However, the thinking today may be that with big games coming up (and Blues is in only a few days time) he really will be needed for these so don't want to risk him today unless we really have to. If the game goes ok and we can avoid using him this would be better than starting him and risk further aggravation to his injury that may see him miss more games coming up. I know today's match at home is massive but just my interpretation of perhaps why Mikey isn't starting.

[baggieal]

Is Mustapha the Disney Waiter injured before he even gets on the bench?

[Bombers right foot]

Surely that has to be 4-2-3-1, the side picked is quite able to be top half, no excuses today if it is back to 4-2-3-1

[Omegstrat6]

Surely that has to be 4-2-3-1, the side picked is quite able to be top half, no excuses today if it is back to 4-2-3-1

A 4-4-2 and neither Jimoh-Aloba or Dike seeing much of the ball but certainly sound far more organised than previous games. Haven't troubled their goal keeper but at least fighting for the ball and showing some desire.

[Bombers right foot]

Playing very well, how on earth Bostock?s not playing is scandalous, this Villa kid Aloba is terrible

[baggieal]

Showing intent and battling but no quality. Price missing in action!

[Johnny on the spot 1]

Agree with above posts looking a lot more organised & confident let?s hope we can get a goal ,

[Omegstrat6]

When he does get the ball at least Jimoh-Aloba can do something with it. More of this please.

As for other new starters,Wallace hasn't got the legs any more but can't fault his desire or underestimate what his experience can bring, Gilchrist sounding like he is putting in a much better performance than in his previous showings and only Dike not sounding like he is contributing much, although he hasn't seen much of the ball to be fair.

Second half we need to ramp up the pressure but at least both the shape and attitude sound a lot better today

[baggieal]

Playing ok and at least they want it! Wallace doing ok! Price and Dike look non existent though and need to get into the game

[Bombers right foot]

Decent first half without creating too much, defence looks better, Wallace playing well, we need something down the left, either Bostock or a half fit Johnston

[baggieal]

Decent first half without creating too much, defence looks better, Wallace playing well, we need something down the left, either Bostock or a half fit Johnston

More chance of winning 7-0 before Bostock comes on! Heggebo needs to replace Dike too