[Archived] Stoke Preview

[Exiled_Rover]

Rovers tried to sign Ken Jones this summer, but could not afford it. From his Stoke performances so far this season he would have a good signing for us I reckon. But he was too expensive, according to Sam Allardyce.

In a way it's a bit like me thinking I would like to go down Saville Row and buy a new Ozwald Boateng suit only to find out when I get there it was £500. So I then have to go back up north to Primark for a loan of grey hooded top.

Getting the excuses in early I see.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I'd take a draw now. Can't see it being a classic but it'll be interesting to see the possession and passing accuracy stats after the game.

[Helmshore blue]

A draw would be a good result in my opinion. We are far from fantastic on the road, and stoke are a good team at home.

[m1st]

Like beerwins, my heart says 1 - 0 to us. Don't know [don't care!] who'll score for us; just have a gut feeling that we'll get the 3 points.

It's a chance to make sure that, as the table begins to settle down after 7 games, we'll be nearer the top than the relegation zone.

[Blueboy Downunder]

we are struggling to get anything from this game today. since stoke have been in the premier league, we have not even looked like getting anything from them at their place. maybe we can snatch a draw 0-0.

what media outlet is the match commentary coming from?? i am in peru at the moment and i am sure that i can't get radio rovers here as i don't have any log-in details.

[mogster]

Emerton and Nzonzi start. Is Kalinic injured or dropped? Either way is ok as he needs a rest from the team.

[Hasta]

He's on the bench so probably dropped. Not a bad thing and at least Emerton will add a bit more energy to a generally quite static midfield.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Any idea of the team and subs ?

[Rover-in-London]

It looks like it'll be a more conventional 4-5-1 rather than the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 we've been seeing this season. Diouf junior up front on his own suggests we may look to sit back a bit more and hit em on the break. But if we do that Samba is gonna have to be on top of his game to handle Kenwyne Jones.

[Iceman]

olsson, benjani, andrews, chimbonda and kalinic on the bench along with bunn. so we have some good options on the bench

[mogster]

ROVERS: Robinson, Salgado, Samba ©, Nelsen, Givet, Nzonzi, Emerton, Jones, Pedersen, EH Diouf, MB Diouf.

Subs: Bunn (GK), Olsson, Kalinić, Andrews, Benjani, Hoilett, Chimbonda.

FYI

[Dan]

Jones is not a good midfielder, why does Sam persist with him there? Excellent Defender, very average midfield. Square peg in round hole!

Stoke look very positive and creative. The complete opposite of us, we're going to get battered today if the first 10 minutes is anything to go by.

[philipl]

Chat room full and no sources of information!

[Stuart]

Chat room full and no sources of information!

Indeed. I'm completely reliant on Sky Football Centre for updates.

[AHoyle90]

Delap hit the post off a throw, there pressuring us.

[USRoverME]

Luckily he's not allowed to throw the ball straight into the net, so he's not a threat himself.

[Dan]

Chat room is full for me?!

Possession is 70/30 to stoke! I was playing Fifa 11 yesterday and Andy Gray commented that Rovers were bossing possession and that being something you don't associate with Blackburn Rovers! It's going to take ages to lose our reputation now

[philipl]

Dingles has Carlisle sent off after 5 minutes

[PAFELL]

Chat room full and no sources of information!

ROVERSWORLD is also down. commentry started then stopped

[beerwins]

Emo unlucky there with a nice shot cleared off the line.

[Dan]

Coming back into it a bit now, Emerton with a chance cleared off the line. Decent Volley from what I could make out.

[LeChuck]

Really bright start to the game, this might be a good one to watch after all. Diouf looking good again already.

[mogster]

Rovers World lost the last 5 minutes of the Blackpool match (very important) and has now gone again. I only pay my £4 for these moments.

Anyway, when it went down it was all Stoke...

[USRoverME]

If that goal sparks Emerton into a vein of form, we've certainly got some quality in attack.

Emo's volley made the newsflash text for bbc sport.

[Dan]

Tony Pullis is a complete Chav!