Stoke (a) 20/08/2016 - pre-match thread

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This is the type of game which should tell us whether we have progressed although it's come a bit early but it's games like this that we've slipped up in the past. One of the things I expect from Pep is to banish our weak performances against the likes of Stoke
 
Stoke away on an August Saturday lunch!
We should take it as a present and return give them a free lesson. 4-0 City.
You know it's a new era. Us fans have to adapt a bit, too. :)
 
Make no mistake...this is the litmus test for Pep's City...win here with style and we can pretty much take it that his style of football really can be adapted to the PL..I really hope we smash them and make a statement...CITY ARE BACK
 
I thought we got off to a sloppy start the last 2 games,i hope pep knocks that out of them
Stoke like to play proper football these days so plenty of space and chances for both sides,no idea of the team but hopeful for a good result
 
IanBishopsHaircut said:
Make no mistake...this is the litmus test for Pep's City...win here with style and we can pretty much take it that his style of football really can be adapted to the PL..I really hope we smash them and make a statement...CITY ARE BACK
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I think Stoke are a long way from the "typical English team" that people used to talk about Messi struggling against on a cold wet tuesday night in November. Hughes has modernised them and in doing so made them much like a lot of the upper mid-table teams.

However - They still have that reputation amongst fans and pundits, so I do agree that a good win here would be a major statement, and conversely, a loss would be really fucking annoying because it would lead to so much "tiki-taka dont fit no english football, Peps not in 2 team league like Spain any more lads!"

So it's a big game.
 
Well, what could be best for Stoke?
Pressing high? Must be very good otherwise City have lots of space which KBD and Sterling will take with a kiss on the hand.
Setup pieces will be a target. Have to avoid that by lots of possession and concentrated defending.
Otherwise they could try to get a 0-0. Which wouldn't be a disaster for us. Not sure about Pep though...

Pep will further improve the system and Stoke will have some work to find an answer.
Maybe Stoke also had some hope we have a CL match ahead. But now it appears to be just a post match jogging pre CL group draw.

So no need to rush in Sane, Gundogan or Kompany. We have the time to wait until they are ready and fit.

Personally I would like to see KDB and Raheem score.
Can only see 3 pts for City.
 
Mates a big Stoke fan and was chatting with him this morning. He thinks their defence is in disarray at the moment and he us expecting us to walk it. As we know though, not always the easiest places to go.

It certainly wont be as open as last night but I still expect us to prevail. 1-3 is my prediction.
 
first 15 minutes will be key. If Shaqiri cant get a sniff of the ball he'll give up on the game. If he gets into it early we could have problems. Probably the best "on his day" player in the league, but he really does pick and choose them.

I expect us to improve on Sunderland, and the rampant target practise from last night will have done us the world of good.
 
Willly

Sagna
Stones
Ota
Clichy

Diniho
Silva
Kdb

Sterling
Aguero
Nolito

Team really picks itself after last night just rotate the fullbacks as they have quick tricky wide players
 
I think that most of the problems we've had at Stoke in recent years have been of our own making, either poor preparation from the manager or the wrong attitude from the players. I cannot see Pep falling down on the preparation and all the evidence so far is that he has re-energised the players. I believe we'll win.
 
First real test of the season, one of those games where a large proportion of us wouldn't be surprised if we didn't win. Wouldn't be surprised to see something different from Pep in this game as he'll actually prepare for the opposition we're facing.
 
MCFC1993 said:
First real test of the season, one of those games where a large proportion of us wouldn't be surprised if we didn't win. Wouldn't be surprised to see something different from Pep in this game as he'll actually prepare for the opposition we're facing.
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Certainly won't miss that 'one size fits all' approach from Pellegrini.

How many times have we actually beaten Stoke in the league at their gaff?
 
Same team as against sunderland, although Pep has a decision to make regarding Kolorov and Otamendi (can't believe I'm saying this) as both looked great in their one game at centre half. I imagine Otamendi will get the nod due to the aerial threat from Stoke though.

Keep the team settled, they can handle three games in a week right now, they've never been so fit. Hopefully we'll have Sane available off the bench for this.
 
Adebayor said:
Same team as against sunderland, although Pep has a decision to make regarding Kolorov and Otamendi (can't believe I'm saying this) as both looked great in their one game at centre half. I imagine Otamendi will get the nod due to the aerial threat from Stoke though.

Keep the team settled, they can handle three games in a week right now, they've never been so fit. Hopefully we'll have Sane available off the bench for this.
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funny enough, I'd choose Kolarov. For 2 reasons. 1. It moves Stones back to RCB where he is more comfortable and 2. there is a Left foot, right foot balance. Strange feeling, as I've disliked Kolarov's name on the team sheet for years ;)
 
I've always liked Kolarov and hope he plays a lot this season. Big, strong, takes excellent free kicks, and he must be intimidating to opponents, one of those old fashioned rough-looking footballers every team used to have. Anyway Guardiola has seen something in him to start him in the games so far and must think he can make him even better.
 
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