Match Thread Stoke v Leicester (FA Cup R3)

[Blue Maniac]

Stephen Warnock likes him at left back.... And he’s played for England you know!

Castagne? Sure he’s Belgian.

 

[City Fan]

With Justin at left back and Castagne at right back, it has to be a straight back four rather than the fluid 4/5 which we’ve seen recently.

Unless Castagne can fill in at centre back of course.

 

[Graz]

Castagne hasn't looked as good on the left in the couple of games he's played there. I thought that was maybe because he's not fully match fit so hasn't gone forward as much.

Had the same thought. Didn't like to criticise him when he's returning from injury on the left than he did before injury on the right.

A bit concerning since Justin is also better on the right, and Ricardo is still to return is our first choice right back... One of them will have to play on the left!

 

[homer]

Perez is dropping too deep.

Yup - he’s been a false 9 so far, and it’s completely wrong

 

[popillius]

Perez is dropping too deep.

In fairness to him, he's had precious little service up there. I think he just wants to come and get the ball.

 

[Skitzo]

Had the same thought. Didn't like to criticise him when he's returning from injury on the left than he did before injury on the right.

A bit concerning since Justin is also better on the right, and Ricardo is still to return is our first choice right back... One of them will have to play on the left!

or play Thomas left back, Castagne/Justin RB and Ricardo right wing, he was effective there when he first signed for us

 

[Graz]

Players need to be rested when there are a lot of games in a short period of time. Not when they've not played for a week and won't play for another week.

You're right. I'm surprised still, but I went for a run and now I'm glad to see us go for it!

Let's go for the cup run.

Good point someone made about U23s potentially being a different bubble - I can only assume that is the case and that's why we're not putting any in at all and naming such a defensive bench.

Big sign to Gray, Slimani but also Nacho that they can't get in for this (for Nacho, he'd expect to start these). Thought we might give Ward a game too

 

[Brown Nose]

Suicidal from Stoke if they keep giving us these corners.

 

[popillius]

Castagne is all over them.

 

[City Fan]

Suicidal from Stoke if they keep giving us these corners.

They’ve probably seen our corners.

 

[Graz]

or play Thomas left back, Castagne/Justin RB and Ricardo right wing, he was effective there when he first signed for us

Wasn't as impressed with him as a winger personally, think he's a better right back where he can run from deep and overlap. Adds an extra dimension to the attack.

And that still doesn't really solve the left back problem because Thomas isn't ready yet or would've played more already this season.

One of those 3 will have to be left back - assuming we persist with the recent system with switching 3-4 at the back, all 3 could be in the team.

 

[homer]

Couple of wonderful corners from Albrighton

Who’d have thought it...

 

[Graz]

Suicidal from Stoke if they keep giving us these corners.

Imagine if we finally score a corner and it's against Stoke! The last team you'd expect to get joy against on set pieces, traditionally.

 

[City Fan]

Couple of wonderful corners from Albrighton

Who’d have thought it...

You mean to say our best crosser of the ball delivers the best corner?

Shocked

 

[Skitzo]

Couple of wonderful corners from Albrighton

Who’d have thought it...

Maddison was taking decent ones against Newcastle, now he's gotten over his obsession with trying to get whip on them

 

[Jeff]

Imagine if we finally score a corner and it's against Stoke! The last team you'd expect to get joy against on set pieces, traditionally.

We scored from a corner in one of the Europa League games. It's in the league where it's been over a year.

 

[City Fan]

Stoke should have scored. Woeful defending.

 

[Graz]

I think Fofana thinks he's off here... Walked away very quickly

 

[homer]

Dog bob

 

[M17TT C]

Perez having a cracker so far....