SKD and Klasnic isn't a partnership that works. There's no pace upfront and neither of them really close down the way that Ngog does. So if it's going to be 4-4-2 it would have to be either SKD and Ngog, or Ngog and Klasnic for me. Although, if Upson plays then I'd say SKD would have to go up against him. If he doesn't, then I'm not sure if playing directly to SKD against Huth and Shawcross would be all that wise.

The BEN reveals this morning that statistically we have the worst midfield passing completion in the league. I don't need stats to tell me that sadly. But with that in mind we need another player in the middle and one upfront....Ngog for me. We have to try and keep the ball better.

Klasnic and Davies has worked horribly all season. Defences neutralise their threat so easily as neither moves to create space etc.

With everyone being fit...id go for

Bogdan
Boyata Knight Ream Ricketts
Lee NRC Vela Petrov
Ngog Klasnic

As much as i dislike Knight, his height and strength could help neutralise Crouch...

I think M Davies wont make it, as he has a virus like Pratley im led to believe. Unless, Pratley has been consistnetly poisoned by someone to keep him out the team!

Ive gone for an Ngog. Klasnic frontline, because i think that direct play will fall into Stoke's hands, Davies will have no effect. I think the pace of Ngog can stretch them, and Klasnic could potentially pick up the pieces.

Id chuck Vela in, might be a massive game, but we need a real centre mid in there, hes energetic...passing is as good as Mavies.. plus he has shown he has vision, unlike Mavies, and with the Ngog Klasnic frontline this could be tasty.

But i fully expect Coyle to pick Davies - Ngog, so this post was pointless haha

I find those passing completion stats interesting..

Mark Davies 87.5%
Reo Coker 84.2%
Vela 83.3%
Pratley 79.3%
Petrov 78%
Muamba 75.7%
Eagles 74%
Tuncay 71.4%
Lee 71.4%
Ryo 70.3%

Our overall pass completion as a team is 72%... only Stoke are lower with 69.6%.

Definitely room for improvement, but our defence and attack are the main offenders for misplaced passing.

So wingers and Muamba = bad at passing.

I'd have thought the majority of the misplaced passes woud've been the panicy through ball we often see in the final 3rd.

I'd go for Klasnic and SKD vs Stoke.

Klasnic's last game vs them he scored 2 and got 2 more assists...

He is our top scorer and as scored most his goals - if not all, in a 442.

Seems pretty simple to me.

Also, although it may have been the wrong decision from Coyle to bring Klasnic on in the last game, he actually played pretty well for that 10 minutes or so. Provides a good link between midfield and strikers.

I worry for Ream vs Crouch. He struggles against that type of physical, awkward player. Zat Knight needs a big game.

i would start 4-4-2.
bogdan.
ricketts,knight,boyata,alonso.
lee,mavies,reo coker,petrov.
eagles,k.davies.
basically a horses for courses selection im picking my 4 tallest defenders and having k.davies coming back to act as another defender for the throws and corners. would have ream/vela on as subs to shore up midfield 2nd half if we have any kind of lead.