Stoke will be a big challenge . . .
Big thanks for this excellent analysis - posts like these always add to my enjoyment of the game.
BR is hopefully learning about managing his squad through multiple competitions and beginning to show a bit of the tactical flexibility that earned him such praise last season. Sentimentality shouldn't really guide team selection but it probably will to some extent though I'd prefer to see Gerrard subbed on at the end in his forward role rather than playing 60 minutes from the start.
Goals are going to be tricky again, a shagged out Lambert who has nevertheless just landed a couple, or a fresh Borini who will be more tricky but liable to be bullied and has yet to make his mark? (I am assuming Balotelli's hamstring will not be risked). We could perhaps do with both but I expect that the extra man in the middle will be preferred so I am not expecting to see two up top.
A Henderson-Can double pivot mentioned earlier would be interesting as they both offer a lot in terms of strength and in going forwards, although I imagine it is something that would have required some discipline and practice in training, and I am not sure that they will have had the time to work on that. I expect Allen to feature alongside one of them, and get pulled later depending on how shot he is.
I hope Kolo does get another run out, it was refreshing to see someone marshalling the back four against Ludogorets and pushing them out - even if we did revert to sitting back at the end. I am not sure I can bear to see Glen caught out by a long ball to Walters so I'd sooner see Moreno on the left. Manquillo has shown a lot of determination and its a pity he missed his opportunity against Ludogorets but hopefully he has the legs to go again (rest against Leicester maybe).
I think we will win, although a clean sheet might be too much to hope for!
Thanks again to lankyguy for watching so many Stoke games so that we don't have to.
