Saturday 30th August brings the match that I, personally, as a Stoke fan, dread. It’s our annual match at the Etihad, a ground where we have been beaten comfortably on many occasions in recent times, and I expect nothing but a comfortable Manchester City win.
That said, we didn’t do too badly against City last season, with Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones missing huge chances to cause an upset in a 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium, before Yaya Toure scored to crush Stoke’s hopes at the Etihad, just as he did at Wembley in 2011. I feel Toure is a key man for City, and I worry about how Stoke will contain him. I think Mark Hughes will deploy a 4-5-1, with Sidwell, Cameron and N’Zonzi possibly being the midfield trio, with Glenn Whelan out injured. N’Zonzi on his day is fantastic, but when he’s off form, like at Hull last weekend, he’s pathetic and a liabity.
Another key duel in my opinion is whoever starts up front for City against Ryan Shawcross and (most likely) Marc Wilson. Shawcross is a brilliant defender, and has been the main player in Stoke’s solid back line over the years. His partner however, Marc Wilson, is a big worry. Played at right back then left back under Pulis, before going into midfield then centre back under Hughes, he’s become a useful utility man. However I feel he isn’t good enough to be a starting centre back. We have other options in the likes of Robert Huth and Marc Muniesa, but Hughes seems to prefer Wilson despite costly errors such as the one at Hull.
Transfer wise, on paper we’ve had a great window, but the new arrivals still have a lot to prove. Phil Bardsley and Steve Sidwell, both free signings, have had solid starts. Mame Biram Diouf was the man signed to solve Stoke’s goal problems, but hasn’t started well. In both his matches so far he has looked isolated, partly down to poor service, partly down to his poor movement in my opinion. However when he’s got the ball he’s looked poor, at times displaying the touch of an elephant, while missing his only clear chance so far. However I think a goal would do him the world of good, he seems short on confidence after a poor spell in England with Manchester United and Blackburn.
Then there’s the man from Barcelona, Bojan. He comes to the Potteries with a big reputation despite not living up to his early promise in Catalonia, but like Diouf he has failed to deliver so far. At times he appears lost in games, drifting in and out, while showing the occasional deft touch. It’ll take time for him to integrate, and I doubt he’ll start on Saturday. Victor Moses has signed on loan from Chelsea and could play after missing the Hull clash.
My team would be a 4-3-3, Begovic – Bardsley, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters – Sidwell, Cameron, N’Zonzi – Diouf. Hughes is unlikely to drop Wilson despite his errant displays, while Charlie Adam or Wilson Palacios may start in midfield. While I expect nothing of a result, I expect a good performance from the team.
