CHOULO19

Robo10, scfctilidie, malvernstokie, leicspotter, eieieio, Binndy, and dexter97 from Oatcake Fanzine as well as Shawn from Potters-Online were kind enough enough to answer a few questions ahead of our match against Stoke on Saturday. Here is what they had to say: -First, how long have you been a potters fan? Robo10- First match when I was 5 (in 1979!) and a season ticket holder ever sinceleicspotter- 50 plus years, don't look old enough do I?dexter97- Since before I can remember. Stokie by birth. That's the way it tends to work around here.Binndy- since the 1970s -You are currently sitting comfortably in 10th place. What have you made of your season, mid way through? And where do you think you can improve? malvernstokie- Much as expected so far. We had a tough fixture list at the start of season and did better than I thought we might, but to balance things out we have failed to finish teams off a bit and 10th is about right.scfctilidie- Defensively impressive but need to score more. A lot of draws as a result of not putting chances away could be turned into wins.Shawn- Were doing well, our defence is rock solid, in my opinion we have the best keeper in the league and the midfield is far more creative this season than it ever has been during our time in the top flight. To improve we need to score more goals and create more chances, if we can get a consistent 15-20 goal a season striker we are a top 8 team. eieieio- We promised much early on and played brilliantly in some tough fixtures. Since then an injury to Marc Wilson has resulted in playing a few players out of position and a slight dip in performances. This has slightly been mitigated by a resurgent Kenwyne Jones and some brilliant heart shown in our Christmas fixtures - leaving us treading water in mid-table. -How do you rate your chance of getting a European place this season? malvernstokie- Somewhere between poor and just possibleShawn- I loved our European adventure last season and would love to do it again, but it defiantly affected our league performances last season. I think another couple of seasons of steady building and we will be ready to have a good crack at getting into Europe again.dexter97- Slim. Would prefer another FA Cup final.Binndy- Fair -Who has been your best player this season and who should we look out for? Shawn- For me it's been Stephen N'Zonzi, the guys been a revelation since he arrived, calm, composed and very rarely miss-places a pass. Honorable mentions to our ever consistent back 2 of Huth and Shawcross and Begovic between the sticks. leicspotter- Central defensive pair have been immense, as has Jon Walters. Steven N'zonzi looking good too.eieieio- Nzonzi. Look out for Geoff Cameron, playing slightly out of position he has shown himself to be a good ball winner with great fitness and good positional sense (typical Pulis player ). Won't set the world on fire but he will make some good tackles/blocks/interceptions (fingers crossed).Binndy- stoke city are a team,so no individual praise. Each player is giving their best. -With the winter market currently open, what business do you think your club should be doing? Shawn- We need a left back, but we have needed a left back for the last 5 years ! Also think we need some competition for the wingers and if possible a striker as Mr Owen isn't what we need ! Also think we will see a few leave this window, Palacios, possibly Jerome or Jones and maybe even Crouch if Floppy Chops comes knocking from QPR !leicspotter- We need full backs and probably replacement wide playersdexter97- A winger and a full back would do for now.Binndy- Loan a couple of attacking players to try for an Europa place. -Chelsea were quick to sign Ba at the start of this window, how do you rate him? malvernstokie- We had first dibs on him, but he failed a medical. He's good, can we have him back now.scfctilidie- Devastated that he came so close to signing and didnt, has been immense for west ham and newcastle since and its good to see him doing well.Shawn- No doubt he's a quality player, if we had signed him when we had the chance I very much doubt we would have him now anyway. His knackered knee could see his career over in a split second and I suppose it's a risk we were not willing to take.dexter97- Very highly, although it appears he comes with a bit of baggage. Watch-out for the exploding knee. -If you could have one player from Chelsea at Stoke, who would it be and why? scfctilidie- Ashley Cole, hes on a free and we need a full back!Shawn- Juan Mata for me, super creative and knows where the onion bag is !leicspotter- I like Torreseieieio- Ivanovic. Would fit right into the system. Can play CB or FB. Although we need attacking play if we keep on building the back we'll be a force in the PL for a long time to come. -The fixture at Stamford Bridge earlier this season was a very close contest that was only won by a late goal from Ashley Cole. What did you make of that match and do you expect a close match this time around? malvernstokie- I was disappointed, we were losing concentration at that time and I thought we were good for the draw. This time round I wouldn't be surprised if it was a draw again.Robo10- Felt we played very well and deserved a draw - I expect us to win tomorrow (honest!) or minimum drawShawn- One our best away performances for a while, we were unlucky not to come away with a point, we always keep it tight at the Brit, we very rarely get over run at home Binndy- If stoke city can keep up the concentration , stoke city should finish the match with a win or a draw -What formation and lineup is Pulis likely to put out tomorrow? malvernstokie- See our last team sheet, things don't change too muchRobo10- 4-5-1 - hope he sticks to the 4411 that seems to win us games, but he will revert to defensive cover tomorrow with Walters out wide. Alas.Shawn- Think Tone will go 4-5-1 tomorrow to try and nullify your midfield threat, Begovic, Cameron,Huth,Shawcross,Wilkinson Kightly N'Zonzi Whelan, Adam, Walters Jonesdexter97- 4-4-1-1, same as always. Probably: Begovic Cameron - Shawcross - Huth - Wilkinson Kightly - Whelan - Nzonzi - Etherington Walters Jones -Finally, please predict the result. scfctilidie- Stoke 1-1 ChelseaShawn- Tight game with the odd goal in it im going for a 1-0 home win eieieio- Heart: Stoke 2-1 Chelsea Head: Stoke 0-0 ChelseaBinndy- 1-1 0r 1-0 , 0-1.

I have a habit of giving books to friends after I read them. For some reason I like people to read what I like I probably don't have 80% of the books I've ever read, including some of my favorite books.

My problem is Willian is the price tag. From what I saw he could make a decent squad player, but the reported 18-20m for his is just crazy. I'd take him for 7-8m though.

For me Ba and Marin have to start. We need a direct approach if are to score. Keep in mind that we played a tough game on Wednesday and they did not play mid-week.

Here are the goals, but where was the Fulham goal keeper off to in the first? http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_fZ6iv81xWc

I partly agree, but I think in an advanced role, Kevin looses one his best assets: Accurate long balls. I believe he has the ability to dictate the tempo in almost any game.

Unfortunately, not what you'd be looking for in your CB, but it doesn't hurt to have these skills.

Those who have written him off, had already done so when we first signed him and were just looking for an excuse to say they knew he would not work out.

I hope Rafa is planning to use him at least in Jan as a replacement for Moses's direct style of play.

I personally didn't think they were brilliant when they sacked AVB, even after winning the CL. Yes we got short term results but the long term plan was screwed and we can see the effects of that with the sacking of RDM and the current fiasco under Rafa. And frankly, if the club doesn't make profit the year that it wins the CL then it is in deep trouble. I do think thy have done brilliantly with the sponsorship deals, especially over the last year or so.But the thing with the board is, the positives do not justify the negatives.

I wish he and Robbie knew that with Fernando. Maybe Danny would've still been here if they did. Stoke away has a boring 0-0 draw written all over it. A 1-0 either way at most.

I remember AVB wanted him here last Jan. Would have probably got him in the summer had he stayed.

In that case, they should be paying us to go to games, not the other way around. Not saying I want anyone in specific. I hardly know the names of any of the people on boards of other clubs. I do think, however, that our board keeps mishandling situations and maybe we should be making some changes.

Realistically, we fans have very very little influence on the club. I would love to have a new board with all the mistakes that this one has made and is making, but we can talk about all day, but as long as Roman is happy with the current board, we won't get a new one.

Just spent 7 hours at the university. Hard to find my sense of humor atm

No talking to drunk girls, Harry! And go to bed, it's past you're bedtime, young man.

Comes to show he was never world-class, just had 2 extremely good seasons. Half of Torres's problems are psychological.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xwnld6_villa-spherachannel_sport Class is permanent.

A bit off topic, but JT is one of the best CBs on the ball in the world. He is constantly in the top 5 out filed players in terms of passing percentage in all of Europe.

I had the worst nightmare last night. Dreamed that we lost to Swansea at the bridge..

Still love you Iva

His goal would have given us hope, too bad it was wrongly disallowed.

Who would pay the 3-4m to end his contract when they can have him for free in the summer?

I think this is what I miss most about Mourinho, he had the balls to make changes when needed. AVB was similar, as well.

I do agree with Rafa on one thing though, we play that same match 10 times and we'll win nine of them. Swansea were ridiculously lucky!