[Archived] Stoke Vs Rovers

[AspRover]

BBC would suggest

Robinson

Chimbonda Nelsen Samba Givet

Emerton Nzonzi Pedersen Olsson

Kalinic

Di Santo

[tony gale's mic]

Good team selection, and good to see Niko and Franco up front together.

[T4E]

Most attacking formation we've picked in quite some time, in a game when very few of us would have complained about a rigid 4-5-1.

Good old Sam.

[Wolverine]

If we don't win this game, will it be Sam's fault, our ours for demanding two strikers?

Very pleased with the line-up all things considered - come on Rovers!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

I remember the 1-0 defeat that ended our 23 game unbeaten run there. About 5 or 6,000 of us in an enclosure that should've held about 4,000. Chrissy Price had a blatant pen turned down at the end. Great away support that season (was it 87/88?).

Oh the memories.....Don McKay running out across the pitch to our fans and a load of trouble at the end of the game too!

I think Gav was sat on my shoulder for most of the game.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

He could play it with a back three of Nelson, Samba and Givet. Chimbonda and Olsson as wing backs with emerton N'Zonzi and Peds in the middle or he could have it as a back 5 or as a 4-4-2.

With the squad available probably his best starting 11 though.

[Steve Moss]

Good team selection, and good to see Niko and Franco up front together.

Finally! This makes me feel incredibly confident in a Rovers win.

If we don't win this game, will it be Sam's fault, our ours for demanding two strikers?

Very pleased with the line-up all things considered - come on Rovers!

Both. But in any event its a fighting line up and no one would be to blame as its our best starting XI.

[tony gale's mic]

I think some speculated on here that losing Benni and not getting a replacement would force Sam's hand to play 4-5-1 - I would argue if anything the opposite has happened here. He needs to give Di Santo games as if Kalinic gets injured we have the choice between Roberts and a potentially talented striker in Di Santo who has barely had any games. I don't think it's a coincidence that this is one of the rare occasions he's played the two of them up front.

[Mr. E]

Yes, finally.

[Bobby G]

Dammit.

Stoke havent won since November!

[Miker]

Can someone from Australia that has Fox Sports explain why they're not showing the Blackburn game??? As if they are showing the Bolton and Burnley matches but not Blackburn... what the hell??

[MarkBRFC71]

I remember the 1-0 defeat that ended our 23 game unbeaten run there. About 5 or 6,000 of us in an enclosure that should've held about 4,000. Chrissy Price had a blatant pen turned down at the end. Great away support that season (was it 87/88?).

I remember Price scoring and running virtually the full length of the pitch to celebrate? Happy days ....

[Helmshore blue]

1-0 down

[yellowsubmarine]

well done chimbonda. trying to be too smart in midfield.

[Daremz]

Just great. Put on 4 strikers!

We'll be back...

[AggyBlue]

well done chimbonda. trying to be too smart in midfield.

Sloppy play. He needs winding up.

[T4E]

Dammit.

Stoke havent won since November!

Eh?

[Bobby G]

Why do we concede so many off set pieces?

[Mr. E]

that's the thing, isn't it? Stoke City will score first-time volley, but if that chance fell to us you know it'd be a mishit, a narrow miss, strike the goalkeeper, strike the post, strike our own player, get cleared off the line...everything and anything will happen for it not to go in.

our luck this season has been beyond absurd.

edit: and there you go. Di Santo point-black header vs the keeper and it's over.

[Look4Me]

Strange how Di Santo just doesn't put those away. He's supposed to be a decent header of the ball.

[John]

Its not luck, its more to do with poor finishing.

[MarkBRFC71]

Sloppy play. He needs winding up.

Didn't I say this weeks ago? Too casual, lacks concentration. Salgado is a better right back.

Oh well, it will be difficult for us from here ....

[Dan]

As I've been saying all season Chimpbonda is a liability. He gives the ball away in silly areas far too often.

[Iceman]

Well Sam played with fire, by putting his faith into both Roberts and Di Santo to produce goals. Both are from the same school, of how to not score

[Daremz]

Di Santo will score this match. Or set up Niko the Sniper. This fixture has written 2-2 all over it.