No and no.

No

No & no

That's called playing into their hands.... not a Stoke fan are you Ben? ;-)

Nope. We have height and strength to go up against their defence in Fellaini and Jela already. Why would we sacrifice the extra man advantage in midfield?.

Yes Ben, I think he's shown time and time again during his tenure that he'll "go for it" at an away game and go two up top.

'sake.

The irony, surely, is that when we absolutely need something, Moyes switches to the much derided 4-4-2. Case in point: Sunday Afternoon at 16:33 hrs... And this time it actually paid off!!!

Not sure it does too often, though. And starting 4-4-2 is anathema in extremis!

Given the way Stoke play, 4-4-2 wouldn't necessarily be a bad call at all (though I doubt Moyes will do it). I don't mean it would be good from a "have a right good go at 'em and attack", because I don't think 4-4-2 is any more attacking that 4-5-1 (but that's another article entirely).

What I mean is: Stoke employ lots (and lots) of long balls. Primarily these come from their centre-backs or full-backs (as opposed to the wingers or centre-midfielders dropping back for the ball and then playing a long "pass"). With 2 up front, we could press the ball (and the defenders) quicker, giving them less time to tee-up their hoofs. You might not think there's a major difference, but the less time they have to judge their long ball, the less accurate the end result should be. It also makes them play the ball a little quicker, thus making it harder for the rest of their team to get into position for the "second ball" (or knock down).

With 2 forwards, we would need each player to work one side of the pitch, chasing and harrying the centre-back or full-back on his side, making sure they get little time on the ball. It may, just may, make it easier to then defend the resultant pass.

Of course, you could also argue that Everton shouldn't be brought down to their level, and should instead stick with the attractive passing game we've employed to reasonable effect thus far this season. For me, this is one of the areas where I'm not sure Moyes tinkers enough. Benitez (loath him though we all do), or Mourinho, are much more proactive in setting up their teams based on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. Moyes I think concentrates more on motivating the players (whereas someone like Redknapp just crosses his fingers and hopes the players will deliver by keeping them happy).

If it was me, and god knows there's a multitude of reasons why it's Moyes and not me managing Everton, I'd be looking at exploiting Stoke's lack of footballing ability.

Good god... Moyesie to start with two up front — not on your life; maybe in two seasons. Though Felli plays more comfortably in midfield, he's not as productive getting stuck in and would surly be picking up more bookings back there. No need with Gibbo in the side. Though I would like to see Vellios getting some more chances, he's got the mustard but I would prefer to see the Jelavic/Naismith interplay get rolling here.

It may force Stoke to come out and play with a 4-4-2. Where our attacking play has been consistent, our threat on goal has been shaky and two last minute goals doesn't change anything.

A 4-2-3-1 will make Stoke park the bus and that would see us undone... Mirallas stretching his hams just to get down the wing and cross a ball for their tall defence to head away?

Playing devil's advocate here, of course, but, even when you think Moyes has cracked it he changes formation and Anichebe is suddenly on the wing, so I wouldn't bet against it.

Only two tactics to employ against Stoke. Quick ball to Jelavic from Gibson and Fellaini to hit the deck every time a Stoke defender wrestles him at a corner.

A Moyes hint to the press beforehand would be tactful regarding Stokes disregard to legal defending.

Play good football, hope for a decent ref and we will win.

Agree with those on here suggesting that we stick to our better football and hope that we can retain posession and not be drawn into a slugging match.

The change I would maybe make might be to swap Osman and Fellaini.

Fella can then use his height to help us defensively and win the second balls after their punts while Osman presence as the link to attack (a role he has performed well before) will force us to keep the ball on the ground rather than pumping balls into their box that they will head away all day.

I agree with dropping Fellaini back for this game, our best chance of winning is by playing the ball on the ground rather than the air. That's no disrespect to Fellaini as he's good with his feet but it's what the other players do which might play into their hands. I think he is also needed more as a defensive midfielder alongside Gibson as Stoke are really just bullyboys full of basketball players.

This fixture has got to be by far the worst of the season, always a chance someone's leg will be broken or a goal that resembles something from a Rugby field,crikey I'm feeling slightly depressed at the thought of it, and can someone tell Pulis he should of done his exercises before the game, just walk on and off the pitch like every one else you tit.

David Price: Play good football, hope for a decent ref and we will win.

The ref is Mark Halsey and, no, I'm not going to pass any comment on that appointment...

I agree, though, that we should just go out and play our usual mixed game.

Interesting post, Ben, which shows some imagination. However, I reckon I have more chance of starting than Velios.

60 years ago when I was a no nonsense get stuck in centre-half, I despised refs that carried on a non-stop cheerful chat to all and sundry. I wished they concentrated on their jobs and kept their frigging traps shut.

Halsey reminds me of that kind of ref.

Haha I have been slated a lot for this post.

I don't necessarily agree with it, just a suggestion Moyes might do, considering we have seen a lot recently about adding tall players.

I am concerned about set pieces though: we only really have Distin, Fellaini, Jelavic and Jags who are good with the head. Even Jags ain't more than 6 foot.

Stoke have all their 4 defenders (they often play centre backs in either full back positions), N'Zonzi, Crouch and Walters, whilst Adam, as much as he's a dickhead, has a hell of a left foot on him.

Just something to think about.

I would instead suggest we play on the deck as high balls will be 50/50 due to their tall defenders. And if Fella plays up front it would be worse still as Stoke are known to be physical and will rile up Fella by wrestling him to the ground which could see an elbow being thrown for a red card.

No... play 4-2-3-1 but on the deck or mid-level crosses.

Just the play the f***ers off the park!!!

Dick Fearon, you wouldn't happen to be related to another no nonsense centre half I played with/against in Liverpool in the 70s called Doug Fearon would you?

Ronnie @ 655, My only relative sharing this surname was my elder brother Jack. He was a very good player while I could best be described as a clogger. Every team had one.

Kightly and Etherington are good on the left wing for Stoke. Crouch, waiting for the cross, is excellent at first touches and ball control.
For this reason, we need HIbbert as rightback on Saturday and not Coleman. The fewer the crosses, the better it'd be for us.

Both Moyes and Pulis moaning this week about getting nothing from refs, so 3-3 on Saturday, all pens just to shut them up.

Same starting XI as Spurs. Play football and score goals.

Nothing complicated about this football lark.

Fellaini got pulled up for dirty tricks defending a corner and it cost us. Now, this weekend watch the team that has gotten away with it for years. Stoke are the absolute worst at shirt-pulling, holding and man-handling from corners in the PL, but never get punished for it... why?

ps: Same team as Spurs will do me, 4-5-1 but I would like to see Anichebe (what has happened to him) used instead of Vellios! Christ, did I really say that!

I do think that if Hibbert is fit he should play against Stoke. Coleman could come on in the 2nd half if needed.

So long as Heitinga doesn't play I think we will cope OK. Distin and Jags are both good enough in the air and Felli should come back to mark Crouch for set pieces.

One thing is that no-one will be in danger of being bitten by Crouch. :0))