Stoke City (a) Preview :: Karl Hinchcliffe

By • Sep 13th, 2008 • Category: Match Previews, News |

Everton make the relatively short trip over to Staffordshire tomorrow to face Stoke City, in what will be the 105th League meeting between the two sides. The last time the two sides met was in a difficult encounter in the FA Cup in 2002. Everton were victorious on the day thanks to an Alan Stubbs goal, but where subject to a very demanding physical encounter. I think it’s safe to say we can expect more of the same tomorrow, with David Moyes suggesting as much, “They’re a very big, strong team and because of that you’ve got obstacles to overcome. You’re going to have lots of balls into your box which you’ll have to deal with and, if you can’t deal with them, they will beat you.”


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Stoke City’s style may prove to be a test for our so far  uncharacteristically shaky defence, with Liam Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller being their two players , who we will have to pay particularly close attention too. Tomorrow’s line up may see a return to the back line for Phil Jagielka who will move back into the defence in place of Joseph Yobo who has a niggling ankle injury. Everton may have wider selection issues to deal with again tomorrow as doubts continue over Leon Osman’s fitness, whilst Lars Jacobsen dislocated his shoulder mid week – an injury which may see him miss the next few months’ action. Segundo Castillo may be in line to make his debut if he makes it back in time following flight issues travelling back from South America following his appearance for Ecuador this week. Louis Saha however is still a couple of weeks away from match fitness.

Everton may have better news however in the form of Marouane Fellaini, who is set to make his first start for the Blue’s following his transfer deadline move. Fellaini a player who cost the club a record transfer fee rumoured to be around the £15 million mark is looking to make an immediate impression at the club, “When you see me on the field you will see what I can offer. I am young, I am really, really keen to succeed, I have a lot of enthusiasm and I will be trying my absolute best to make an impact.’’ I’m sure we will all be hoping he can produce the level of performance shown against our ‘lovable’ neighbours across the park over recent weeks.


We can be certain that Moyes will be looking to get the season going tomorrow given our poor start. Stoke may prove to be a stern task, but if we have any hopes of repeating the previous two season’s league finishes, we must surely look to pick up the three points on offer.  Phil Neville who has seemingly been unaware of the first three fixtures despite playing in them has recognised as much; “Our season officially starts when we go to Stoke because we need to hit the ground running now. We can’t play catch up.”
With players set to return over the coming weeks on top of European football hopefully we can get the feel good factor around the club again. There has been much division around the club recently with transfers funds and Kirkby hot on people’s lips, but tomorrow our travelling army of support need to temporarily put this behind us and get behind the side as only we can.


A word of warning for those of you joining tomorrow – an element of Stoke City’s fans still think it’s the 70’s so if you go in any of the pubs in the Stoke area you may be best to cover your colours.
See you all there – COYB!

Key Men

Everton – Mikel Arteta, with the likes of Pienaar, Cahill and Osman out, the creative responsibility to gain fall in the hands of our favourite Spaniard. Hopefully he can ride the rough house tactics and drive us on to our second away victory of the campaign.

Stoke City – Liam Lawrence, the clubs talisman who has the ability to deliver key balls into the box for Stoke’s  10ft tall players

Prediction 2-0 Everton. YES THE FOLLOWEVERTON TEAM ARE POSITIVE!

May I also add that we’re after 1000 forum members, as Ryan would say; Help us out! Click Here to join FollowEverton.com



8 Responses »

  1. Yeah hopefully we get back in track tomorrow.

    Big game for us, looking forward to getting my first glimpses of Fellaini!!

    COYBB

  2. Looking forward to this after two weeks off. Should be a tasty encounter, with all there big players. Hopefully Fellaini nails a few of them!!!

    Cheers for letting people know about the pubs. Last time I went there, there was murder.

  3. I’m hoping to see Castillo’s big meat head on show tomorrow. He looks like an animal. I’m confident we can win any physical battle with him and Fellaini in the starting line up!

  4. Looking forward to this. Hopefully we stick a few past the clay heads!

  5. I’ve missed your match reviews over the last couple of weeks mate. Get one written after the Stoke game 😛

    I reckon 3-0 the Blues tomorrrow!!

  6. Amo’s Afro.

    I’ll try to get the site to be more consistent with Match Reports / Previews. I’ll keep Karl busy. :mrgreen:

    We’re looking at having our site re designed and re created (features) for our one year birthday. Hopefully we’ll have some more members by then.

    We’re after 1000 forum members. Help us out!

  7. PMSL laughing at their 10ft players.

    It’ll be like playing the crazy gang all over again. Hopefully we dont pick up any more injuries!

  8. great review mate, keep up the good work , i predict a 1 . 0 win vaughen to score the winner