MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

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Sutekh
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MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Sutekh » 11 Dec 2019 21:42




When : Saturday 14th December, 3pm
Where : Bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke On Trent, ST4 4EG
Capacity : 30,089
Away Stand : One side of the Sharp stand behind the south goal
What might I see in the area : pottery

Stoke City are the next test for the desperate performances of the mighty Reading. A trip round Brmingham and up the ever clogged M6 for what seems an eternity is what many supporters will have to endure - not to mention the likelihood of a fairly dour give nothing away type of game.

Stoke have not had a good time of things so far, in fact a lot worse than Reading's "el cr@po" season so far. Like Reading they have a wealth of under achieving talent such as Sam Clucas, Scott Hogan, Jack Butland, Joe Allen, Sam Vokes, Nick Powell and Tom Ince but their under achievements are currently in danger of leading them into the third tier.

Looking at their record so far they are on a run of 3 wins and 6 defeats from their last 9, those wins were at Barnsley, home to Wigan and their last game out at home to Luton so they are making the most of the games against weaker sides. However they are also capable of springing surprises and have beaten both Swansea and Fulham so there should be zero complacency from Reading. The other thing to note is that their wins seem to come along in pairs and they are currently on a run of one successive win....

Similar to the last couple of opponents Reading face a team with a manager recently appointed permanently into the role with ex Reading loanee Michael O'Neill having been given the job about a month ago. He started well by winning his first couple of games in charge but then three straight defeats followed but is back on the up after the Luton victory.

Sam Clucas is the leading scorer for the Potters with 5 goals from 20 games, Sam Vokes and Lee Gregory are next in line on 3 goals each so again it would be fairly imperative to marshal these gentlemen correctly.

Stoke welcomed Ryan Shawcross back against Luton after he recovered from a pre-season broken leg but he only lasted a quarter of an hour before being subbed for Danny Batth so must now be a serious doubt for this game. In addition Cameron Carter-Vickers and midfielder Badou Ndiaye are doubts through illness. Reading have Mr Swift and Mr Yiadom injured and a doubt over Mr Puscas but are relatively injury free otherwise.

Usual thing. This is not going to be easy for Reading but if they can stay solid and take their game to the opposition then they obviously will have a good chance of getting something. Trouble is Reading have struggled badly in starting most games this season so it's probably not going to be easy to break that mould.

Referee

it's a rare meeting with Lee Mason for this one

Previously

10 Apr 18 > Fulham 1-0 Reading
22 Apr 15 > Reading 0-1 Birmingham City
02 Feb 13 > Reading 2-1 Sunderland
22 Aug 12 > Chelsea 4-2 Reading

Historically

The 23 previous visits to Stoke in the league have brought Reading 6 wins and 5 draws so probably not too bad for northern trek in the scheme of things. The biggest win there was 4-0 almost 20 or so years ago while the heaviest defeat was by 5-0

How to follow the game

  1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
  2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
  3. Ring/text a mate for updates
  4. Use an iFollow subscription
  5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
Last edited by Sutekh on 11 Dec 2019 23:21, edited 1 time in total.

URZZZZ
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by URZZZZ » 11 Dec 2019 21:49

Rafael

Gunter
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Pele
Adam

Meite
Ejaria
Joao

Baldock

Walker Obita Morrison Rino McCleary Boye Puscas

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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Sutekh » 13 Dec 2019 06:22

Moore and Obita are apparently also carrying knocks so maybe in danger of missing Stoke.

Be interesting to see if Charlie Adam retains his place against his former team.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Hound » 13 Dec 2019 08:55

URZZZZ Rafael

Gunter
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Pele
Adam

Meite
Ejaria
Joao

Baldock

Walker Obita Morrison Rino McCleary Boye Puscas


Wouldn't stray too far from this, but wouldn't select a third LB in 3 games. Would go back to Richards if Obita not 100%

Not sure Adam can do 2 games in 4 days either, but maybe he can. Puscas will be out I expect with the shoulder injury

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by John Smith » 13 Dec 2019 13:54

This has the makings of an absolute classic. Have been looking forward to it for weeks. I really think Sam Baldock is going to step up to the plate here - I sense shades of Preston (a) last season when the young man had a stormer.

We might go a goal down, perhaps but we will win this game. I urge all supporters to travel to this one or they will miss out on one of the great away days.


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Victor Meldrew » 13 Dec 2019 14:16

Sutekh Moore and Obita are apparently also carrying knocks so maybe in danger of missing Stoke.

Be interesting to see if Charlie Adam retains his place against his former team.


Betting on Charlie getting sent off?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Westwood52 » 13 Dec 2019 20:11

URZZZZ Rafael

Gunter
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Pele
Adam

Meite
Ejaria
Joao

Baldock

Walker Obita Morrison Rino McCleary Boye Puscas


Rino for Meite

URZZZZ
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by URZZZZ » 13 Dec 2019 23:11

Westwood52
URZZZZ Rafael

Gunter
Moore
Miazga
Blackett

Pele
Adam

Meite
Ejaria
Joao

Baldock

Walker Obita Morrison Rino McCleary Boye Puscas


Rino for Meite


Rino - the well known RM

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JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo » 13 Dec 2019 23:22

thanks


Royals and Racers
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Royals and Racers » 14 Dec 2019 14:02

3 changes
out Miazga, Puscas, Obita
In Baldock,Blackett, Pele

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Royal_jimmy » 14 Dec 2019 14:04

Stoke 1-0 Reading HT
Stoke 2-1 Reading FT

Stoke to Score First <<<<<<<<<<<
1-0 Stoke 5'
============
1-1 Joao 63'
2-1 Stoke 77'

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Sutekh
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Sutekh » 14 Dec 2019 14:04

Team is

Rafael
Gunter
Morrison
Moore
Rinomhota
Blackett
Pele
Adam
Joao
Ejaria
Baldock

Subs

Walker
McCleary
Loader
Boye
Meite
Howe
Richards

A back 4 presumably, no obvious width

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by bcubed » 14 Dec 2019 14:22

Morrison and Moore in the centre of a back 4 doesn't fill me with confdence

Is Miazga injured?


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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by URZZZZ » 14 Dec 2019 14:23

Like that team. Miazga has a hammstring problem

Guessing it’s either 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-2-3-1 with Joao and Ejaria out wide

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Hound » 14 Dec 2019 14:32

Would prefer if Miazga and Swift were fit obvs, but looks ok for an away game at Stoke

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by bcubed » 14 Dec 2019 14:38

Hound Would prefer if Miazga and Swift were fit obvs, but looks ok for an away game at Stoke


I think if Miazga was fit he'd go 5 at the back. So why not stick with that system and bring in someone else instead of changing it?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Hound » 14 Dec 2019 14:46

Well the system has hardly been a roaring success recently had it?

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Snowflake Royal
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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Snowflake Royal » 14 Dec 2019 14:47

URZZZZ Like that team. Miazga has a hammstring problem

Guessing it’s either 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-2-3-1 with Joao and Ejaria out wide

Could just about conceivably be 3-5-2 still

Moore, Morrison, Blackett
Rino, Pele, Adam, Ejaria, Gunter
Baldock, Joao

But does look like a 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-3-3 with Ejaria out wider maybe.

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by Snowflake Royal » 14 Dec 2019 14:48

Hound Well the system has hardly been a roaring success recently had it?

Has the system been a failure, or have the constituent parts without Swift, Ejaria and Baldock?

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Re: MATCHWATCH : Stoke City (a) sponsored by Ibrahima Sonko

by bcubed » 14 Dec 2019 14:56

Snowflake Royal
Hound Well the system has hardly been a roaring success recently had it?

Has the system been a failure, or have the constituent parts without Swift, Ejaria and Baldock?


I firmly believe we have played our best with 5 at the back. Without it we look likely to concede on every attack.

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