Todays Line Up...

A few changes there....

Sarmiento, Jayrod, Pires and Koleosho all in.

So we start with Jay.

Not what I was looking for.

How does Jay start before Foster and Flemming

Sarmiento for Laurent I kind of expected, especially with so many games in quick succession, but if Foster is fit enough for the bench, he's fit enough to start imo and that's a strange one.

Don’t particularly like squad rotation but if it works then job done ,thought Anthony would have been rested if anyone would.

Squad rotation, fair enough before the big game ahead. Setting off for Goodies Bar in Benalmadena. In 10 mins, I think Zizkov from on here will also be there, always nice to meet up with fellow UTC members.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:06 pm

but if Foster is fit enough for the bench, he's fit enough to start imo and that's a strange one.

Not so sure about that logic... hes obviously not going to be match fit, theres far more risk of injury if youre not fully fit.

Dark Cloud wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:06 pm

Sarmiento for Laurent I kind of expected, especially with so many games in quick succession, but if Foster is fit enough for the bench, he's fit enough to start imo and that's a strange one.

Parker should have given him more minutes in the last 2 games to build his fitness up.

Not a fan of squad rotation. Disappointed that Humphries & Laurent miss out but in SP we trust - hopefully!

Some big calls by SP but he knows the fitness levels of the squad better than we do

Perhaps Laurent is a Stoke thing.

A lot of changes, not unexpected it's a lot of games and we need fresher legs, but I do think it weakens us.
I expect Stoke to sit back for a point, and we don't have a great looking team for breaking down a packed area. I hope I'm wrong, but it has 0-0 written all over it.

An early goal would change everything, please.

UTC

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:12 pm

Perhaps Laurent is a Stoke thing.

He's a Burnley player ?

jojomk1 wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:05 pm

How does Jay start before Foster and Flemming

You can add Hountondji to those two as well.

Laurent, Stoke - may be just one of the factors SP considered.

Obviously this will be judged on the result but if it works it's an ideal scenario.

We also have a cup game at Reading to rotate as well.

A long season and we will need the whole squad.

Bench seriously lacks a winger

Without Laurent today it surely means that Brownhill will play deeper and not get into the box as much which could have a negative effect.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:17 pm

Laurent, Stoke - may be just one of the factors SP considered.

Laurent was excellent against Stoke away, it's nowt to do with it I'd say.

Stonehouse wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:06 pm

Don’t particularly like squad rotation but if it works then job done ,thought Anthony would have been rested if anyone would.

100% agree.

When we went up under Coyle, didn't we have an unbelievably small number of players used?

I get the theory and it seems to play itself out correctly, more often than not. Squads win titles as opposed to an 11,12,13 or 14.

I get the rotation idea, especially over a congested holiday period. Likewise, the Easter period.

Robins appointed at Stoke ………decent appointment………maybe have an effect on their players today……

Sarmiento as a number 10 in a 4 - 4 - 1 - 1 formation?

Stonehouse wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:21 pm

Without Laurent today it surely means that Brownhill will play deeper and not get into the box as much which could have a negative effect.

Sensible team for me. Foster isn't fit enough to start yet, Flemming has played a lot of football in the last 10 days and also doesn't convince as a centre forward in these games against a packed defence because he doesn't have the instincts of a striker to occupy defenders, and we need the extra guile of Sarmiento and width/direct threat offered by Koleosho.

As for Brownhill, even in recent games when we've had extended spells of possession he's got his chances by dropping off the play and hitting the box late (see goal v Watford and chance from keeper's punch v Boro) or supporting a quick transition (see other chance v Boro). He can do both from am orthodox central midfield position smd it gets us the extra attacking body on the pitch we lacked v Derby.

Bench does lack a winger but Foster/Flemming gives us an option to change the feel of the front 4 so not too bad.

James Trafford is still crap at dealing with corners and crosses...missed that free kick one completely.

Pitxh is playing very quickly. Ours and their passing appear to be somewhat messy.

Anthony really needs to stop shooting

It's the same every ******* time

End to end culmnating in an awful shot over from the edge of the area by Anthony.

A messy goal or two will decide this game.

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:09 pm

Anthony really needs to stop shooting

It's the same every ******* time

Or maybe practice a bit harder, between the white sticks please

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:09 pm

Anthony really needs to stop shooting

It's the same every ******* time

He's no Benson when cutting inside!

What we reckon today?

Seems to have 0-0 written all over this.

Hope I'm wrong

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:13 pm

What we reckon today?

Seems to have 0-0 written all over this.

Hope I'm wrong

2 sides who look incapable of scoring.

I still think there are mistakes aplenty in these teams. 2-0 for Burnley. I think they'll run themselves into the ground infront of Robins.
(If we lose now, it's my fault!)

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:09 pm

Anthony really needs to stop shooting

Yet we often read comments, no doubt including some from yourself, bemoaning that the players don't have a crack when they see a half chance.
Don't get me wrong, it was a poor effort, but I'd rather see that than a tame and negative pass backwards.

Yes but there's a difference between "having a crack" and erratically hitting a ball as hard as you can, endangering passing aircraft.

ZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ

Good effort there with the header.

Bit dull, this.
Sarmiento with a header.

It Is What It Is wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:22 pm

ZzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ

Hard to disagree so far.

Corner ....

CJ is still getting better. Its exciting.

Roberts endangering aircraft now ...

tarkys_ears wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 01, 2025 3:21 pm

Yes but there's a difference between "having a crack" and erratically hitting a ball as hard as you can, endangering passing aircraft.

In all fairness, there is a pattern of Anthony skying the ball in recent games. But I would prefer taking more shots than fewer.

Appears to be very little movement in front of goal?

Looks like we are playing for the draw

Cullen's passing is a standout in a slew of bad passers today.

Pires getting exposed at the back

We've got the measure of this lot. Won't be long before we score, so stop blubbing.

Was hoping for more from Koleosho after a break but no luck.

Pires is simply not good enough. Stoke very well set up.

bit sloppy tosay the least