Agree - think it´s important that we try and win as many free kicks around the boss as poss - it could be the difference at the end with the likes of Kolarov and Baloanymore than 2sheiks said:If you let skilfull players run at stokes defence,they'll give away foul after foul.They're very effective and physical but technically limited.Luckily,we've a number of players now who hit a good dead-ball.
Chris in London said:Skibum said:My point is, if we can beat Chelsea away (we did last season) and Stoke away then we will fear nobody. Our only challenge remaining will be beating teams that park the bus.
Agree with that. A win away at Stoke is I think a real statement - brilliant though we were yesterday we are always going to find it easier to play against footballing teams like Blackpool and Fulham than we are alehouse teams like Stoke. That said, anyone who out-muscles Chelsea can't be a bunch of pussies because they are a very muscular team.
We have beaten ourselves up about the last 2 home games, but Chelsea's defeat on Saturday should put it into some sort of perspective - Birmingham have now kept out City and Chelsea in sccessive games, which you have to give some credit to. United came with a gameplan to get a draw, which they did, but there aren't many places they will go to where their ambition is simply not to get beaten.
Slowly, but surely, it is coming together.
tolmie's hairdoo said:Fulham got a little close to us in the last twenty minutes, as a result, it became more of a test.
I would expect Stoke to take more of a leaf out of Wolves and Blackpool's approach.
We, in turn, should take a leaf out of both Spurs and Manure's book.
Spurs have gone there and simply attacked, in terms of relying on their own confidence to score more.
United have also been able to grind it out.
Balotelli can go one of two ways. He will be wound-up from minute one by Stoke, but he owes us a performance of no comebacks.
We must show complete confidence in our ability to score. Mancini, rather than going 'big' up against Stoke at the Britannia last year, now needs to have us hard and fast.
Don't be so focused on what Stoke can do. They do it effectively.
But we have more in our locker. Win this, I believe the title is very much on with January around the corner.
Our position will have a major effect on that window.