[Archived] Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City Preview

[Bobby G]

Come on people Givet has to start if fit. No questions asked. I think it will be Henley to give way although Id be tempted to put on Lowe in midfield and move Henley to right back where I think he is more at ease.

[davulsukur]

I would bring Givet in at Cb if fit. Drop Hanley and leave Henley at left back.

[Colt Seavers]

I don't profess insider knowledge, but I have heard that Hoilett was not injured yesterday- he is being sold and must not be injured. I thought Pedersen was shocking yestarday but I know Kean likes his presence on the pitch. There is potential for a Dunn recall which could be at the expense of Petrovic. This would be a shame, I sang his praises prior to yesterday's game and he didn't let us down.

We clearly need to play one up top and flood the midfield; much improved shape yesterday and, unlike under Big Sam, we are capable of scoring with one up front by pacy counter attack.

[Inta Beaver]

http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Potters&action=display&thread=182272

The clay heads sound like they fancy there chances, and it doesn't sound like they have sold out there allocation. Got a feeling this is going to be a boring game, hope we come out on top.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Got a horrible feeling tomorrow is going to be a right 'after the Lord Mayors Show'

[roversfan99]

Bunn

Henley Hanley Samba Olsson/Givet

Formica Lowe Petrovic Simon

Rochina

Yak

2 changes there, depends on fitness.

[Steve Moss]

Bunn

Henley Hanley Samba Givet

Lowe N'Zonzi Petrovic Simon

Rochina

Yak

[Mercer]

Good performance at Anfield, excellent at O.T., however, at best, I reckon we will have to settle for a point.

Players like Hoilett & Samba know, IMO, that they are heading for the exit door and, only naturally, they will feel every strain and pull and will not put their b@lls on the line.

Additionally, yesterday, I think, will have taken an enormous amount out of us both physically and mentally and it would not surprise me to see Yak even less mobile than normal !!!

Unfortunately, I think it will be a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show".

[Clitherover]

Good performance at Anfield, excellent at O.T., however, at best, I reckon we will have to settle for a point.

Players like Hoilett & Samba know, IMO, that they are heading for the exit door and, only naturally, they will feel every strain and pull and will not put their b@lls on the line.

Additionally, yesterday, I think, will have taken an enormous amount out of us both physically and mentally and it would not surprise me to see Yak even less mobile than normal !!!

Unfortunately, I think it will be a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show".

Welcome back Miseryman!

completely agree though.

[Mike Graham]

Good luck Rovers v Stoke.

I will be on my jollies but will look out for the score when my flight arrives.

I want us to win of course but must add:

Kean Out

Venkys get stuffed, and

Agnew get stuffed sunny boy!

[braddock]

i dont care, i want stoke to win, tired of all this bullshit, rovers 0 stoke 2, thats all i have to say, goodbye!!!!

Genuine question if you read this roverandout: Does this still stand for you?

[Doug]

My predicting skills have been thankfully poor over the last two games. Many of us are experiencing the new sensation 'hope' we may survive.

I fear, that if I predict a win then I will put the mockers on us!

If I predict a defeat, I'm not being altogether honest!

I 'hope' we win tomorrow and other results are kind. To think, we are within touching distance after such a dire first half of the season.

We must avoid defeat, an unbeaten run will do us the power of good.

COYB

[1Joerover]

If Olsson is back and fit to start then start him instead of Pedersen, if not then Vukcevic instead. But if Givet is back keep him on the bench, the back 4 for the last two games has been very consistently strong so no need to change it. As long as protection is there for the fullbacks and Samba keeps Crouch under control then we should win this one. So I'd play this line up:

Bunn

Lowe - Samba - Hanley - Henley

Formica - Nzonzi - Petrovic - Simon/ Olsson

Rochina

Yakubu

[bennyboyt11]

Personally I feel Henley/Olsson will have a better time against Pennant/Shotton, so Givet if playing will have to be CB.

However, we know Stoke are likely to use one of either Crouch or Jones, we're relying on Samba getting the better of them for this match.

[Tom]

Good performance at Anfield, excellent at O.T., however, at best, I reckon we will have to settle for a point.

Players like Hoilett & Samba know, IMO, that they are heading for the exit door and, only naturally, they will feel every strain and pull and will not put their b@lls on the line.

Additionally, yesterday, I think, will have taken an enormous amount out of us both physically and mentally and it would not surprise me to see Yak even less mobile than normal !!!

Unfortunately, I think it will be a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show".

Hoilett I agree with he hasn't put a shift in since Norwich but Samba was a rock again yesterday and didn't shirk anything nor ever has IMO.

I don't think we'll win as our aerial threat won't work against Stoke

[DE.]

Hoilett I agree with he hasn't put a shift in since Norwich but Samba was a rock again yesterday and didn't shirk anything nor ever has IMO.

Agreed, say what you want about Samba but when he's on the pitch the man gives 100% every time.

[pick32]

The things that give me hope is we have chris samba and Bunn is realy good at coming out and claiming crosses. im going for 1-1.

[Rover_Shaun]

Can't say Bunn impressed me with his cross claiming when Liverpool scored. He fell into the side netting quite well though

[Andy]

Bunn's major weakness is coming for crosses - hopefully we have a plan to work with this tomorrow, as we'll be seeing lots of long balls and crosses.

I'd keep Hanley and Henley in, but maybe Givet at LB and Henley at RB.

I'd much prefer Lowe in midfield to Dunn or Pedersen.

[RibbleValleyRover]

No prediction from me. But I will say that it looks like we have gone even more direct in recent games and that sort of strategy will probably play into Stoke's hands. There are not many sides that have beat them at their own game, even Allardyce struggled against them.

[iceman dave]

Keep the ball on the ground and I think we will win start long ball against stoke and it will be a hard game due to the height of some of there players but I think 1-0 rovers

[Mr Cool]

Yep, it's a very difficult game. Slowing down the play, being direct, won't work against Stoke. I think we will have to win the midfield battle, and play with width. Get in behind their full backs.

[Hughesy]

MASSIVE game.....2 excellent results, vital we follow it up with another 3 points.

Do that and im confident no matter what, we will stay up!

[Sparky Marky]

I'd keep Hanley and Henley in, but maybe Givet at LB and Henley at RB.

I'd much prefer Lowe in midfield to Dunn or Pedersen.

Givet and Samba is our best two centre halves that are fit. Hanley should be nowhere near the team. I tip my hat to his performance at utd but he's been awful all season .

[roverwhelmed]

Fantastic preview!!

I *hope* we build on Saturday and roll out a 2-1 victory, I'm still on cloud 9 and hope our young guns are too.